Rev. Elton Rengstorf

The Rev. Elton J. Rengstorf, of Lewiston NY, passed away Thursday, April 6, 2017 at Niagara Hospice in Lockport. He was born July 16, 1930 in Marysville, KS, the son of the late George and Laura (True) Rengstorf. He graduated from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO and was ordained in 1956. He served as a missionary to the Philippines 1956-1969, and President of the Lutheran Church in the Philippines 1964-1968. "Rengs" was the Director of Camp Pioneer, in Angola, NY and Executive Director of the Eastern District of the Lutheran Layman`s League 1969-1981. He served as Pastor of St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Buffalo NY 1981 – 1983, Redeemer Lutheran Church, Colden, NY 1983 – 1994, and Escarpment Lutheran Church, Lewiston, NY 1998 – 2003. He was Mission Executive of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod Eastern District 1991 -1998. He is survived by his wife, Helen (Bridges) Rengstorf; his daughters, Ruth (Rev. David) Thielo, of Cleveland, OH, Laura (Dr. James) Krug, of Albermarle, NC, Jean (Mary) Rengstorf, of Salt Lake City, UT, Joyce (Matthew) Tunnard, of Novi, MI; his two stepsons, Mark Bridges, and Michael (Dr. Lalanya) Bridges, of Los Angeles, CA; his seven grandchildren, Erik, Angela, Brian, Carl, Sarah, Geneva, Florence; and his one great grandson, Jackson. His first wife, Marion (Dallman) predeceased him. Rengs has donated his body to the University of Buffalo Anatomical Gift program for medical research. A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 20, at 11:00 am in The Lutheran Church of The Messiah Church, 915 Oneida St., Lewiston. There is no prior visitation. Contributions in Rev. Rengstorf's memory may be made to Niagara Hospice 4675 Sunset Drive, Lockport, NY, 14094.