Lambrecht, Bernhard H. 1929-2024 St. Joseph, Mo.
By NewsPress Now
Bernhard H. Lambrecht “Ben”, 95, St. Joseph, passed away on Monday, Dec. 23, 2024.
Ben was born April 29, 1929, to Reverend August and Helene (Burmester) Lambrecht at the parsonage of St John’s Lutheran church near Lyons, Nebraska. After the early death of his father, his family lived with his grandparents at the Bermester homestead. When he was 3 yrs old, his mother moved the family to West Point, Nebraska, “where everyone could walk to where they needed to go”.
He attended St. Paul’s Lutheran School and caused “all kinds of mischief”. He graduated in 1946 from West Point High School, where he was well known for his athleticism in football and basketball and his high IQ. He enlisted in the USAF in July 1946 at age 17. He had his mother’s signature but not her blessing and was stationed near the Arctic Circle as a Radar Specialist. After his discharge, he attended the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
Ben married Gretchen Pagels June 1, 1952. They lived in Wichita, Kansas, and were charter members of Bethany Lutheran Church. Throughout his working years, they lived in Lincoln, Nebraska, and Sioux City, Iowa, before settling in St. Joseph in 1972. He adored his beautiful wife and was extremely proud of his children. To his kids, he passed on his talents of sports, gardening and working with his hands.
After 35 years in the paper business, Ben retired in 1991. He and Gretchen started a wood craft hobby business where they sold their art in many craft shops, craft shows and hosted an annual open house for 30 years. Ben could make, invent or fix anything. His kids, grandkids and great-grandkids cherish the toys he made for them. He also enjoyed watching and feeding the birds, organ music and tending to his garden. He had the greenest green thumb and his tomatoes grew taller and larger than anyone’s. He said he talked to them, which they obviously liked.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother; and two sisters.
He is survived by his wife, Gretchen, of 72 years; daughter, Cathy Delk (Dean); sons, Jeff and Todd (Dawn); grandchildren, Sheri (Nathan Rightmeier) and Dustin Delk (Ariel Mull), Nick and Aaron Lambrecht, Chris (Bronte) and Collin Robbins, Livia and Karys Lambrecht; great-grandchildren, Gavin, Garrison, Celia and Maxine; extended family and friends, including Lisa, Lori and Kim who will always remain part of our family.
Ben will forever be remembered for his gentle spirit and his strong and quiet faith in his Lord. His stories of his childhood shenanigans will be missed. He always enjoyed a joke or funny story over a cold one and loved fishing, woodworking and manicuring his lawn.
Our hope and prayer is that Ben’s love of his Lord Jesus Christ, his wife, family and friends will be cherished by all who knew him and loved him. Rest in peace Gentle Ben, rest in peace.
Services will be held with the visitation on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Heaton-Bowman-Smith-Sidenfaden Chapel at 3609 Frederick Blvd. St. Joseph, MO 64506. Funeral services will be held Monday, Dec. 30, 2024, at 10 a.m. at the St. Peter Lutheran Church at 3524 St. Joseph Avenue, St. Joseph, MO 64505, with interment to follow with military honors at Mount Auburn Cemetery, in St. Joseph.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to St. Peter Lutheran Church, St. Paul’s Lutheran School or the Orphan Grain Train.
