Gene W. Ladendorf

Gene William Ladendorf, of St. Charles, MO, passed away Tuesday, February 7, 2023, at the age of 78.  Loving husband of the late Janice F. Ladendorf; beloved son of the late William G. and Helen W. Ladendorf; devoted father of Jana (David) Leppien and Mark (Christine Mrakotsky) Ladendorf; cherished grandfather of Meagan (Brandon) Poole, Hannah (Caleb) Seidel, Emma Leppien, Caroline Ladendorf, Stefan Ladendorf and the late Seth Leppien; treasured great-grandfather of Mabel Poole and one on the way; dear brother of Robert Ladendorf and uncle to many.  

Gene was born on July 16, 1944, in Peoria, Illinois. He was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church in Roanoke, Illinois, on March 30, 1958. In high school he taught VBS and was very active in the Walther League. During his last two high school summers, he traveled the country as a Walther League Caravaner.  

Gene was a dedicated worker and very passionate about Lutheran education. He earned his B.A. in Education at Concordia, St. Paul, in 1966 and his M.S. in Education at Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, in 1974. Gene first worked as a teacher/principal at Trinity Lutheran in Worden, IL. He taught 5th – 8th grade, while his wife Jan taught 1st – 4th  grade from 1967 - 1970. His next stop was at Holy Cross Lutheran in Collinsville, Illinois, where he was an 8th grade teacher and was later called to be principal in 1978. In 1982, Gene headed to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he served as Superintendent of Schools for the Southern Wisconsin District Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS) until 1991. 

From Wisconsin, Gene and Jan moved to New York, where Gene served as Assistant Professor of Education at Concordia College, Bronxville, NY.  He was the Chair of the Division of Education, taught classes, and was an advisor to many. Following New York, they moved to Texas in 1998 where Gene served as Headmaster at Prince of Peace and was later installed as Minister of Education at Our Redeemer Lutheran in Dallas, TX, where he served until 2000. Gene accepted his final call in 2004 to serve as Principal at St. John’s Lutheran School, Glendale, WI, where he remained until his retirement.  

Gene “retired” in 2006 but continued to serve as interim Principal at five South Wisconsin District grade schools and twice as Interim Superintendent of Schools.  

Gene was a member of numerous boards and committees during his career. Most notably, he was a member of the Board of Directors of the Council for American Private Education (CAPE). He was also a member of state and local public education planning groups and the Wisconsin Association of Nonpublic Schools and was on the Commissioner’s Advisory Council for Nonpublic Schools in New York. Gene served as a site visitor for the Blue Ribbon Schools Program for the U.S. Department of Education, was a SLED Mentor, and was President of the Wisconsin Association of Nonpublic Schools (WANS). He also proud to serve as an advisory member for the Board of Directors of the Lutheran Special School in Milwaukee. 

Gene was honored by the Center for Urban Education Ministry in Bronxville, NY, with the “Loving Friend of Urban Education Medallion.”  More recently, he was the recipient of the Esther Award from the Lutheran Education Association for exemplary and dedicated leadership and perseverance on behalf of Lutheran education in times of trial or tragedy. He also was honored by the CAPE Board of Directors for his longtime commitment to CAPE 

Gene married the love of his life, Jan Friedrich, in August 1967. They enjoyed 55 years of marriage until Jan’s passing January 29, 2023. Gene and Jan enjoyed traveling together to Europe, Alaska, the Panama Canal, and all over the United States. Gene also participated in a Mission trip to the Dominican Republic, along with his granddaughter Hannah.  Gene and Jan’s final trip was to St. Charles, MO, where they moved to be closer to their daughter.  

Gene was a history buff and had a special love of Abraham Lincoln. He enjoyed reading, collecting beer steins and antiques. He was a formidable opponent in any game of trivia, especially when he teamed up with his son, Mark.  

Memorials may be made in Gene's name to any Lutheran school of donor's choice.  

Baue Funeral Homes is currently following CDC recommendations regarding mask and social distancing policies.