Rev. Marshall P. Pechauer

Please click this link to view the livestream of his service: https://www.bethlehem-church.org/ Rev. Marshall P. Pechauer Marshall Peter Pechauer was born to Claudia and Peter Pechauer in Milwaukee, WI on July 6, 1933. He was baptized and confirmed at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Milwaukee. He graduated from St. Olaf College in May of 1955 and married Martha Jean Hallin on August 20, 1955. With the help of Martha's typewriter, he graduated from Luther Seminary in 1959. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Caryl and brother Rev. Ronald Pechauer. He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Martha and their four children Joan (Eric Walbolt), Daniel (Jane), Ruth (Mike Wallace) and Mary (Tom Undlin), 10 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. He was blessed to meet his newest great grandchild, Sadie, born just 2 days before his death on August 20, 2026. He is also survived by his sister in law, Rachel, 2 nieces, Sara Pechauer and Lisa (Dave) Jensen, and many dear friends around the world, all who have had profound and meaningful influence on his life. He was ordained into the Christian ministry on May 31, 1959 at Our Savior's and began his ministry at Woodlake Lutheran Church, Richfield MN in 1959. In 1963 he was called to begin a new congregation, Resurrection Lutheran, in Oak Forest, IL. During this time he also participated in a writing team creating curriculum for high school youth for Augsburg Publishing House. In 1968 the family moved to Madison, WI where he served at Lake Edge Lutheran Church until 1976, when he became assistant to the bishop of the Southern WI District of the American Lutheran Church with special responsibilities for church roster support. He gave leadership to the development of models of intentional interim ministry, support for newly ordained pastors, advocated the calling of women and older pastors, and assisted the entire district staff in resourcing congregations in the calling of clergy and lay leaders. In 1988 he became a Mission Director for the Division of Outreach of the ELCA for the Wisconsin-Upper Michigan area, and in 1992 took on the same responsibilities for the four synods of Southern Minnesota. In this role he helped establish and served as a support to new ministries and mission pastors. He also assisted synods in carrying out plans for revitalization of mission in established congregations, especially in reaching ethnic minority populations in the three state area. He retired in 1996 and for several years served as a consultant to city and rural congregations in mission planning for the future of their ministries. He also volunteered in the Archives of Luther Seminary/Region 3, served on the Board of the Whitefish Golf Club and helped establish the Kimble Lake Homeowners Assoc., of which he was its first president. Praying for his grandchildren and great grandchildren, reading, gardening, being involved in what he called "we projects", celebrating all of life's experiences and playing golf were his main avocations. He enjoyed his family and always delighted in the support and love of Martha as they partnered their way through work and family. Marsh enjoyed life. He always saw himself as the best ordained layperson he could imagine. His sense of humor and dedication to doing a good, honest job never faltered. He was a good friend. He loved his wife, his family, his friends and his Lord. Hopefully you saw this in him and thank God for the gifts Marsh shared with you all. A memorial service will be held at Bethlehem Lutheran Church 4100 Lyndale Ave S Minneapolis, MN on Friday Oct 16 @ 11AM. Visitation at the church Thursday Oct 15, 5-7pm and Friday 1 hr before the service. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to St. Olaf College-the Martha Hallin & Marshall Pechauer Scholarship Fund for Fine Arts, Bethlehem Foundation or Bethlehem Music Series. Please click this link to view the livestream of his service: https://www.bethlehem-church.org/

Rev. Marshall P. Pechauer

July 6, 1933 - August 20, 2026

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