Rev. Karl R. Gurgel

KARL ROBERT GURGEL

February 24, 1942 ~ September 13, 2026

On Sunday, September 13, surrounded by his loved ones at his home, Karl Robert Gurgel, 84, walked with Jesus into eternal rest.

Karl was born on February 24,1942, in La Crosse, Wisconsin, the oldest child of Pastor Karl and Lydia Naumann Gurgel. He became a child of God through baptism on March 8, 1942, at First Lutheran, La Crosse. On May 20,1956, he was confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church in Caledonia, Minnesota where he spent his childhood. He graduated from Northwestern Preparatory School in 1960 and Northwestern College in 1964, both located in Watertown, Wisconsin. He prepared for pastoral ministry at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, Wisconsin, graduating in 1968. Following his Seminary graduation, he was installed as the first pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church in South Windsor, Connecticut. In 1979, he moved his family to Lake Mills, Wisconsin, where his service to God's people continued as pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, chairman of the district Mission Board and president of the Western Wisconsin District. In 1993, he was elected president of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, serving God’s people in this role for fourteen years.

After his presidency, his love for God's work continued to shape his life. He taught at Asia Lutheran Seminary in Hong Kong for two separate terms. He also served three more congregations: Holy Word Lutheran Church, Austin, Texas/CrossLife Lutheran Church in Pflugerville, Texas, where he supported the church's expansion; Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Corpus Christi, Texas, as interim pastor; and St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, Winona, Minnesota as part-time pastor. Although his health was failing, Karl was still leading worship services at Sugar Loaf Senior Living in Winona in December 2025.

Karl's life was devoted to God's people and to his dear wife and family. Karl married his high school sweetheart, Barbara Seefeldt, on August 15,1965, in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Together they served their Lord, raising their family and working in the church with faithfulness, joy, forgiveness and love. In addition to time with his family, Karl loved travel, especially to WELS missions at home and abroad, fishing, playing and watching sports. He had a special fondness for classical music, trains, popcorn and planting trees. He was a gifted preacher and storyteller, often entertaining guests with stories from his idyllic Caledonia childhood, his time on the football or baseball field or inspiring accounts from his ministry like “The Wrong Mrs. Weber.”

Karl was preceded in death by his parents, his brother David, his brothers-in-law Richard Seefeldt and Mark Johnston and three grandchildren: Madeline and Lydia Schibbelhut and Boston Gurgel, who died at birth. He is survived by his wife, Barbara; their children: Ann (David) Ponath, Stillwater, MN; Wendy (Greg) Schibbelhut, Onalaska, WI; Doug (Ruth) Gurgel, Manhattan, KS; Bart (Stephanie) Gurgel, Milwaukee, WI; Seth (Jen) Gurgel, Castro Valley, CA; Nicole Gurgel, Albuquerque, NM; and Britta (Evan) Gurgel Stravers, Portland, OR; fourteen grandchildren: David (Coriann) Ponath, Christian (Rebecca) Ponath, Elsa Ponath and Madelyn Ponath; Emma (Jacob) Heyn, Julia (Devan) Arntson, Micah (Katie) Schibbelhut and Marin (Dylan) Lyons; Mira Gurgel and Levi Gurgel; Gerhardt Gurgel and Irmina Gurgel; Augustin Gurgel and Kalliope Gurgel and five great-grandchildren: Elaine Ponath, Collins and Miller Ponath, Gideon Heyn and Elowyn Arntson; his brothers Paul (Anita), Robert (Judy) and Richard (Susan), his sister Jane Johnston, his sister-in-law Jan Gurgel; brothers and sisters-in-law Victor (Karen) Seefeldt, Curt (Char) Seefeldt and Kristine Seefeldt and many nieces and nephews.

Thanking God for Karl’s earthly life and rejoicing in his eternal life, the family will gather at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Winona on Friday, September 25, 2026. Visitation begins at 10 a.m. and the service at noon. All are welcome to a meal served immediately afterward.

Interment will take place at Immanuel Cemetery at Hochheim, near Mayville, Wisconsin, at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, Winona; WELS World Missions; or the Rev. Karl A. & Lydia Gurgel Memorial Scholarship Fund at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary.

Like his father before him, Karl concluded his sermons with the words of Philippians 4:7, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” We rejoice that this beloved child of the heavenly father now fully and completely understands the peace of God through his Savior, Jesus!

“Though He giveth or He taketh, 

God His children ne’er forsaketh;

His the loving purpose solely

to preserve them pure and holy.”

“Children of the Heavenly Father,” Christian Worship 502, stanza 4