Reverend Roland Boehnke

Reverend Roland W. Boehnke, age 92, of Overland Park, KS, Tallgrass Creek Retirement community, passed away on November 17, 2022.  Roland was born in Sidney, Nebraska to the Rev. Gustav and Magdalene Boehnke on November 18, 1929.  Roland attended six years of pre-seminary education at St. John’s Academy and College in Winfield, Kansas, and graduated in 1949.  It was there that he met his wife, Dolores, through their mutual musical talents.  They were married on July 10, 1952.  Roland then attended Concordia Lutheran Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri, and graduated in 1954.

Following his ordination, he served as a pastor in the Kansas District at churches in Holton and Topeka.  He was then called to serve at Trinity Lutheran Church in Flushing, Michigan.  In 1968 he accepted a call to the Michigan District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod in Ann Arbor, Michigan as an Executive of Youth Ministry, Adult Education, and Family Life.  In 1976 he accepted a call to Trinity Lutheran Church in Mission, Kansas which is where he had previously served as a Vicar from 1952-53.  He initially served as the Associate Pastor and then as Senior Pastor until his retirement in February 1995.

Throughout his ministry, Roland was active not only on the congregational level but also in the local community.  He was an officer in the Mission Chamber of Commerce and served on the Board of Directors for the Mission Optimist Club and Trinity Lutheran Hospital.  Roland served in leadership roles in the Kansas District of LCMS as First Vice President, member of the Mission Board, Circuit Counselor, Synod Planning Council for Missions, and an instructor at the Lay Training Institute.  At Trinity Lutheran Church he established the Religious Art Show, the Stephen Ministry program, and the Trinity Lutheran Foundation.  Additionally, Roland authored articles for Advance magazine, Sermons for Concordia Pulpit, and was a guest editor for the summer issue of Resources for Youth Ministry.  After 57 years in the ministry, Roland published a book of sermons titled, 55 Years of Preaching the Word in Season and Out of Season. He felt extremely blessed in his 68 years of ministry by both the people and his family.  His wife Dolores was an especially strong supporter, encourager, and partner throughout his ministry.  He was a faithful and humble servant of Christ, beloved by family and colleagues alike.

In retirement, Roland served as an interim Pastor at several congregations.  He also spent time enjoying his hobbies of fishing, golf, traveling, spending time with family, and making Ukrainian eggs.  He expanded his artistic talents and began creating works of stained glass.  He created several windows for Trinity Lutheran Church including a large Noah’s Ark piece displayed in the Educational Wing and a large window of Martin Luther’s Seal.  He created several other stained-glass artworks including one for the Kansas District Office in Topeka, Kansas, and a window for the Prayer Room at the Kansas District Retreat House near Herrington, Kansas.  Additional stained-glass pieces ordain the Lutheran Church in Fort Worth, Texas.  In addition, Roland made numerous pieces for his home, his children, friends, and relatives in Chicago.

Roland was preceded in death by his parents, four sisters: Rhoda, Marcella, Renata, Arlene, and brother Edgar.  He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Dolores, and four children: son Michael (Carol) Boehnke of Mansfield, Texas; daughter Rochelle Boehnke of Omaha, Nebraska; daughter Laura Michaud of Pearland, Texas; and son David (Susan) Boehnke of Overland Park, Kansas; six grandchildren: Shelley (Kevin) Mann, Megan (Richard) Burton, Kristine Boehnke, Matthew Boehnke, Nathaniel Michaud, and Zachary Michaud; and two great-granddaughters, Allison and Payton Burton.

There are countless individuals whose lives Roland touched with his outpouring of love and caregiving.  His family praises the Lord for God’s gift of husband, father, and grandpa.  They celebrate that he lives today with his Lord and Savior knowing they will join him in Heaven one day.

A memorial service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, Mission, Kansas, on Saturday, November 26, 2022.  Roland will be laid to rest in the columbarium at Trinity Lutheran Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be donated to:

Trinity Lutheran Church Foundation via Trinity Lutheran Church, 5601 West 62nd Street, Mission, Kansas 66202

LCMS World Relief and Human Care