The Rev. Dr. Connie M. Kleingartner, Chicago, IL, formerly of Minot, ND, died August 21, 2008, in Chicago after an 18-month battle with cancer.

Connie was born February 10, 1948, in Bismarck, ND to Herb and Marie Kleingartner. She graduated from Minot High School and immediately entered the Volunteers in Service in American (VISTA) program, working in Milwaukee, WI, with the Hispanic community. This began a life long love of the Spanish language, which she spoke and read until her death.

Connie earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from Minot State University where she taught for one year. She received a Master of Divinity and Master of Sacred Theology degrees from Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, IA as well as a Doctorate in Educational Leadership degree from the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN.

After serving eighteen years as a parish minister and as Assistant to the Bishop of Iowa for the ELCA, Connie joined the staff a Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. She eventually became Director of Field Education and Coordinator Candidacy and Logos Associate Professor of Evangelism and Church Ministries. In this capacity Connie prepared leaders for the ELCA. She traveled all over the world and the USA doing site visits for seminary interns.

Connie is survived by her parents, Herb and Marie Kleingartner, Minot; three sisters and their husbands, Trudy (Doug) Evenstad, Pierre, SD, Shelly (Dale) Hanenburg, Manchester, IA, and Becky (Greg) Horner, Grand Forks, ND; her nephews, Carl Evenstad, Ansel Hanenburg, John Hanenburg and Jeff Horner; and a niece, Jessica Haeder, and their families.

Funeral: Sunday, August 31, 2008, at 1:00 p.m. at Christ Lutheran Church, Minot.

A Memorial Service was held Sunday, August 24, 2008 in Chicago.
Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot, ND.

There will be no reviewal but friends may sign the register book Saturday, August 30, 2008 from 1 to 5 pm at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot, and on Sunday one hour prior to the service at the church.

Memorials: Memorials may be made to the Augustana Lutheran Church Organ Fund, Chicago; the LSTC Fund for Field Education; Christ Lutheran Church, Minot, or to UNICEF.

To sign the online guest register for Rev. Dr. Connie
To view the online guest register for Rev. Dr. Connie

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