Hermann Karl John

Hermann Karl John, age 86, of Elgin, IL, passed away on March 25, 2024. He was born October 21, 1937 in Marshfield, WI to his loving parents, Pastor John Hermann Karl John and Manda Ruth (née Jacobson) John, and baptized November 14, 1937 in church by his father. In March 1938, when Hermann was just five months old, his family moved to the farm between Neillsville and Greenwood, WI. He was confirmed in Spring of 1951.

Hermann attended Mound School, a one-room country school, for grades 1-7, and St. John’s Lutheran School in Neillsville, WI for grade 8. He graduated from Northwestern High School in Watertown, WI, Class of 1955, college at Northwestern in Watertown, WI, Class of 1959, and Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon, WI, Class of 1962.

Hermann met Rachel Louise Baganz on a blind date in Sturgeon Bay, WI. They were married on June 10, 1961, and together raised two children.

Upon graduation from seminary, Hermann dove head-first into his ministry:

       1962-1969: Pastor at St. Mark Lutheran Church, Lincoln, NE, and built the church building

       1967-1969: Pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Seward, NE while still serving at St. Mark, Lincoln, NE

       1969-1973: Pastor at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Yucaipa, CA, and built church building

       1962-1972: While pastoring at Yucaipa, CA, began WELS church in Riverside, CA 

       1969-1972: While pastoring at Yucaipa, CA, began WELS church in Las Vegas, NV

       1972-1973: While pastoring at Yucaipa, CA, served as vacancy Pastor for Our Savior Lutheran Church, Pomona, CA

       1973-1983: Pastor at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Tarzana, CA

       1983-2004: Pastor at Ascension Lutheran Church and School, Escondido, CA

Hermann officially retired from full-time ministry in 2004, however that same year, he also served as vacancy Pastor for Ascension Lutheran Church, Escondido, CA for three months.

Hermann was hardworking, dedicated, and gifted in “raw” mission work. When he first doubted whether he should go into ministry, a fellow classmate told him, “If God can talk through Balaam’s ass [donkey], don’t you think he can talk through you?” Hermann often mentioned that being raised on a farm was one of the best preparations for ministry, as many of Jesus' illustrations came from farm life.

Hermann preached “from the heart to the heart,” only following a detailed outline, not a written manuscript. He was never afraid to stand alone, even in adversity, knowing without a doubt that he was remaining faithful to God’s Word. He also made sure all his congregations were debt-free and financially sound. “With the Holy Spirit strengthening the faith of the members through the Word of God, the members would also be moved to open their pocketbooks in generous offerings to the Lord and His work.”

Hermann also enjoyed cheerleading and golf. He and two friends started the cheerleaders at Northwestern, and he continued to cheer even during his Ascension Lutheran days in Escondido, CA. In retirement, he was a golf marshall.

Hermann and his wife moved to Elgin, IL in 2017 to be closer to their granddaughters

Hermann was preceded in death by his nieces, Pam Ehlert, Brittany Baganz, and Chrissie Stevenson. He is survived by his wife, Rachel John; children, Philip John and Rebecca (Greg) Miller; granddaughters, Kelsey and Emily Miller; siblings, Frederic (Phyllis) John, David (Evelyn) John, Judy (Gilbert) Leyva, and Dottie Moore; in-laws (Rachel’s siblings), Miriam (Joel) Ehlert, Mark (Beth) Baganz, Tim (Tracy) Baganz, and Pete (Allison) Baganz; and other nieces, nephews step-grandchildren, and relatives.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 4:00pm, Sunday, April 21, 2024 at Abiding Peace Lutheran Church, 9N976 Randall Road, Elgin, IL 60120. The service will be live-streamed.

Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Hermann’s name to the California Lutheran High School in Wildomar, CA, Ascension Lutheran Church in Escondido, CA, or Abiding Peach Lutheran Church in Elgin, IL.

Final arrangements entrusted to Symonds-Madison Funeral Home. For more information, call 847-741-1128.

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