Rev. Lawrence "Larry" Allen Burgdorf, of Saint Charles, MO, was taken to his heavenly home, surrounded by his family, on Friday, February 12, 2021 at the age of 90. Loving husband of Sue Alice Burgdorf; cherished son of the late Paul and Stella Burgdorf; devoted father of Erik (Lynn (Krueger)) Burgdorf, Dirk (Anita (Berghorst)) Burgdorf, and Rachel (Michael) Pauluhn; loving grandfather of Aja and Martin Friedrichs, Laura and Wes Vasquez, Jacob and Amanda (Kerr) Burgdorf, Noah and Danielle (Persich) Burgdorf, Zachariah and Claire (Houser) Burgdorf, Tatiana and Natalia Burgdorf, Benjamin and Kristen Pauluhn, Alexandria and Phil Bias, Jordan Pauluhn, and Mia and Cal Thomay; treasured great-grandfather of Hannah, Aiden, Audrey, Levi and Clara Friedrichs, Emily and Madelyn Vasquez, Matthias Burgdorf, John Burgdorf, Lawrence Jack Pauluhn, and Simeon and Cyrus Thomay. Larry is survived by an older brother and younger sister.
Larry was a pastor for many years, where he served churches in Brunswick, OH; Grandview, MO; Galveston, TX; and Overland, MO. He was also elected and served as a Vice President for the Missouri District, Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, from 1982 to 1985. Larry was passionate about Lutheran outreach, particularly to eastern Europe and former Soviet States. In his later years he became an Executive Director for Marvin M. Schwan Charitable Foundation, from 1993 to 2010 when he retired. Larry was a published author and had 13 books of poetry. He enjoyed playing tennis, woodworking and international travel, he always loved the ocean.
In respect to Pastor Burgdorf’s abiding interest in global missions, memorial contributions may be directed to
Siberian Lutheran Mission Society, c/o Ascension Lutheran Church, 8811 St. Joe Road, Fort Wayne, IN, 46835.
A celebration of God’s Grace will be held at a later time for Pastor Burgdorf.
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