Pastor Roger L. Sasse was a Nebraskan by birth and life-long Lutheran. He often described himself as an incurable romantic who never had a ''real job'' for a living. Roger was born to Elmer and Elda Sasse in 1942, loving parents whose guidance and love provided a context for the rest of his life. With Mary, he parented two wonderful daughters - Jill and Jana.
He graduated from Fremont High School in 1959, Midland Lutheran College with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration in 1963, and a Bachelor of Divinity from Central Lutheran School of theology in 1967. He later received a Master of Science in Education in 1970 and Certification as a Conference Center Administrator in 1998.
Roger experienced a ''call to ministry'' at age thirteen. He remembered being on his way home from a water fight, when his Pastor Grant Van Boening happened by, and gave him a ride home. In the eight block ride, he shared, Pastor Van asked if he had ever thought of entering the ministry, to which he replied nope! Pastor Van said ''why don't you think about it!'' He said he would, and the next day, he told his parents he was going to seminary. Then told his grandma! A point of no return! He said he never really thought about it again until one morning, sitting in the Midland College Student Center, he thought to himself ''what in the world have I done!'' The call he said was always elusive to him. He remembered one day while on internship, so unsure of his call that he ''gave the Lord six months'' to speak clearly to him. (Six months came and went - NO word from the Lord!) But with the encouragement of Pastor Stan Ecklund, his Internship Supervisor, he went on, continually pursued by an indiscernible voice inside him. Later in his life he looked back on what had been an unbelievable collection of opportunities to serve. I am a lucky boy! He would say, as he summed up his life! A GRATEFUL BENEFICIARY!
Upon graduation from seminary in 1967, he accepted a split call as the first Assistant Pastor of First Lutheran Church in Kearney, where, under the guiding hand of Pastor Ron Ebb and Nebraska Synod President Dr. Reuben Swanson, he was given the opportunity to begin a Lutheran Campus Ministry at Kearney State College (University of Nebraska at Kearney). He shared that he was an instant failure as a confirmation teacher, so Pastor Ebb suggested he just go take care of students on campus and Pastor Ebb would take care of the congregation. The congregation ''sweetened the pot'' by paying his congregational salary as a gift to the campus ministry. He completed his Master of Science in Education at Kearney State, and served the campus ministry there for six years. What a joy! He always said that there were very few pastors he knew for whom worship was always without fail a mind-blowing experience! He was blessed with the presence and musical abilities of an incredible group of students (Jim & Chuck Salestrom, John & Dee Peshek, Jerry, Karen, Larry, Marb, Sue, Gwen, Rene, Bobby - so dangerous to name names, as there were so many more). These students brought an incredible joy to literally hundreds with their faith-filled music!
In 1979 he was given the opportunity to go to Indiana University as Campus Pastor, again an experience which he cherished his life-long. While there, he was invited into partnership with Pastor Arnie Pierson at St. Thomas Lutheran Church for an incredible eight years to work with Arnie, Connie Sawyer, Betty Smith, Tom West, so many more, was just a highlight in a life filled with highlights! In 1982 he was given the opportunity to serve the campus ministry at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. Again the ''company of saints'' who gathered as that community of faith was sustaining, uplifting and just incredible. In 1988, following twenty-one years in campus ministry, Bishop Dennis Anderson and the Board of Directors of Nebraska Lutheran Outdoor Ministries gave him the opportunity to serve our camping ministry at Carol Joy Holling Camp, Ashland Nebraska where he served as Executive Director until his ''formal'' retirement in 2007. (He shared that he said to Bishop Andersen that he knew nothing about camping! -- Figure out the Lord on this one! Again an unbelievable group of partners: Roger Maxon; Dave Coker; Sunni Richardson; Jason Gerdes; Casey Fuerst and others including an opportunity to work with brother Gary, made a team that provided a context to vision and grow NLOM's camping and retreat ministry. While at Carol Joy Holling, he had the privilege of sharing the development of Operation IDEA, the Nebraska Synod's strategy to raise leaders for Christ's Church.
Upon retirement in 2007, Bishop Dave deFreese provided the opportunity to enter REFIREMENT, working with the Nebraska Synod Capital Campaign, and the Nebraska Lutheran Campus Ministry Board serving as its volunteer Executive Director. Subsequently, he served as Assistant to Jon Fredricks the new Executive Director until his (second) retirement from refirement, in March of 2019. In 2007, when he formally retired, the CEO of Tabitha ''took him in'' and gave him an office to refire from. Roger said many times ''Tabitha saved my marriage''! He explained that soon after his retirement, he must have been (unknowingly) lining up Jan's day for her, and she said: ''Honey, you need something to direct, and I'm not a candidate!'' (A message in there, and no so subtle!) He was so grateful to the leaders and staff at Tabitha for this place to hang his hat to work and volunteer from for more than a dozen years.
Over the course of his retirement years (formally 2007 until 2019), he spent summers with Jan, family and friends on Leech Lake. Walker Minnesota. He said his great work was the development of a ''research station'', the primary mission of which was studying the ''attack habits'' of the GREAT Norther Pike and how such informs our Lutheran mission work.
Roger quickly admitted that he was not so much a spiritual leader as a spirited leader, overwhelmed only by the joy and privilege of serving in Christ's church. Truly a grateful beneficiary of the many opportunities to serve that our Lord put in his path. As he ran his heart's hand over a wonder-filled life and the JOY he was continually allowed to experience, he shared that there were many experiences that brought him Joy, but there were ''those'' that literally brought him to his knees with gratitude. The unwavering loyalty and support of Jan! The never-ending love of Jill and Jana for their dad! The forgiveness of Mary! The unbelievable support of Minnesota and Nebraska friends and his family especially in the latter days of his life! He talked often with shaky voice of the ''gift of time'' he was given by his skilled doctors. And near to the heart of Lord Jesus Himself was the loving touch and words of encouragement his nurses and caregivers continually gave him! All the stuff of which miracles are made.
Roger was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved daughter Jana, many relatives and close friends. He faced death fearlessly, knowing that the ONE who had held his hand every single day of his life would hold it until the very day of his death and last breath! As he ''walked through the valley of the shadow of death,'' his face looked so forward to being reunited again with those who had gone before him that death was overshadowed! (However he admitted that more than occasionally he shared with our Lord that he'd like a little more time in his garage!) His entire Christology was simply ''the gift!'' of God through our Lord Jesus Christ! There are only two words that he said described his life - GRATEFUL BENEFICIARY! And his prayer always was simply ''thanks be to GOD and God alone!''
He is survived by his wife Jan, daughter Jill, Jan's children Doug(Terri), Dean(Cristy), Deric(Ivy), Dusty(Jolin) & Mindy(Erik), Brother Gary(Jean) , 12 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and more. Along with countless friends.
Service of Resurrection will be held at Southwood Lutheran Church (4301 Wilderness Hills Blvd, Lincoln, NE 68516) on Thursday, April 18, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the encouragement of gifts to NeLCM, NLOM or Southwood Lutheran Church are suggested.
Online guestbook can be found at www.Ludvigsenmortuary.com
Condolences(19)
Steve/Judy Fisher
Kearney, NE Saturday, April 20, 2024 We knew Pastor Sasse when he was at First Lutheran and Campus Lutheran in Kearney. He married us at Fist Lutheran January 24, 1969. He was amazing and we thought so much of him. Prayers to his family.Keith & Gail Fickenscher
Lincoln, NE Wednesday, April 17, 2024 We were so honored to get to know Roger & Jan when Keith became CEO of Tabitha and they worked together in the Serving Arms of the Nebraska Synod. During a conversation we realized that when he served as the campus chaplain at Kearney he was called by our pastor in Gothenburg to go to Good Samaritan Hospital to baptize our oldest son Michael was he was 5 weeks old. Our pastor was then able to come therefore we did not meet Roger at that time. Interesting Roger did remember the situation when we asked him about it. Keith and Roger became closer when Keith saw that Roger had office space at Tabitha and then there were times Keith sought him out for pastoral direction. There were many other times over the years we shared have been honored to consider Jan and Roger as dear friends. We share in her and the family's loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers now and always. And we look forward to seeing our dear friend again some day. Keith & GailDavid Zellmer
Madison, WI Wednesday, January 17, 2024 Roger was a blessing to me and so many more - at/with NLOM, as a friend, as a son to his beloved parents, as a brother, husband and father. He is missed and countless thousands have benefitted from him. Three cheers and hip-hip hurrahs to/for Roger.Lorane Walth
Peoria, AZ Tuesday, January 16, 2024 My Husband, Mark, and I lived in the upstairs apartment at the Lutheran center at UNL during Roger's first year as campus Pastor. I remember his big laugh and equally big hugs. He touched so many lives!Dawn Meyer
Albuquerque, NM Monday, January 15, 2024 Roger was our campus paster at UNL. He taught us we worship a God of enthusiasm, energy, and great love. Once, when I was wearing a white dress, he exuberantly held the common cup up to my mouth and, with a bit too much energy, spilled it onto my chest. He was mortified and immediately grabbed the napkin and tried to wipe the stain away and then realized he was wiping my chest. That is one of the times in my life I laughed the hardest and it was even sweeter he laughed with me.He used his hands, feet, and voice to bring Jesus to so many and we are grateful to have been part of his ministry.
Tom and Kari Anderson
Kearney, NE Friday, January 12, 2024 We knew Roger when he served First Lutheran Church and Campus Lutheran in Kearney. He was an inspiration to everyone.BRENDA ROHRS ANDERSON
Kearney, NE Thursday, January 11, 2024 Condolences, Jill to you and your family.Roger and family were our neighbors in Kearney and what great fun and good times we enjoyed with them. He was a great friend, neighbor, pastor and counselor with a wonderful sense of humor.
After 40 years, he's now reunited with Jana.
Blessings . . . Brenda
BRENDA ROHRS ANDERSON
Kearney, NE Wednesday, January 10, 2024 Condolences, Jill to you and your family.Roger and family were our neighbors in Kearney and what great fun and good times we enjoyed with them. He was a great friend, neighbor, pastor and counselor with a wonderful sense of humor.
After 40 years, he's now reunited with Jana.
Blessings . . . Brenda
Sandy Gruntorad
Lincoln, NE Wednesday, January 10, 2024 Jan my prayers and thoughts are with you and family at this difficult time. Loved all times at retreat at Carol joy Holling.Mike and Joann Tumbleson
Lincoln, NE Wednesday, January 10, 2024 We were sorry to hear of Pastor Sasse's passing. 53 years ago Pastor Sasse married my husband and I at Campus Lutheran at Kearney, NE. My father was in the hospital at the time waiting for a kidney transplant. Thus my parents were not able to come to our wedding. Pastor Sasse still made our day special.Prayers are with his family that they find comfort that he is home with his Savior.
Kurt Brown
Battle Creek, IA Tuesday, January 9, 2024 Dear Jan,My condolences to you and the family. My life was richer to have known Roger. He was always so positive and always had time to help anyone that asked for it. I will continue to miss him at the lake. I miss sitting at the beach smoking a cigar with him. I'll sit at the beach and have a cigar for him this summer.
Kurt Brown
roger jurgens
longmont, CO Tuesday, January 9, 2024 Roger became a good friend while he was in Kearney, NE. The two campus pastors and I purchased a large house near campus and we rented it to college students. After deciding it was more than a full time job, we sold it. The real story is, we became very good friends thru 1st Lutheran Church and the Campus Ministry while Roger lived in Kearney. I didn't know Jan, but wish her and their families fond memories.God Bless Roger and his family.
Roger Jurgens
bob furman
Lincoln, NE Tuesday, January 9, 2024 Roger was a fellow neighboring camp director (YMCA Camp Kitaki). Even though he claimed not to know much about camping, he and I shared time together about camping, life, Christ, and other common interests. God bless you Roger.Del Gustafson
WAUKEE, IA Tuesday, January 9, 2024 We were saddened to hear of Roger's passing. He was our campus pastor when we attended UNL in the early 80s. His energy and love for Christ was contagious. We were delighted when he agreed to travel to the small country church near Scribner to marry us in August of '85.Del and Cindy Gustafson
Eileen & Bob Thornburg
Fremont, NE Monday, January 8, 2024 Gary, Jean & family,Our sincerest sympathy in the loss of your brother. We enjoyed reading about his life & career. What a special guy!
We’re sure you have more memories to share to help you smile.
Sincerely,
Eileen & Bob Thornburg
Arnold Pierson
Chicago, IL Monday, January 8, 2024 Thank you Roger for almost a decade of adventure…mischief…dreaming…and proclaiming the Gospel in Bloomington with you during our “special days” at St Thomas! What a pair we were! They will remain with me forever. Rest in peace my friend! We will meet again! ❤️Glenna Graupmann
LAS VEGAS, NV Monday, January 8, 2024 Dear JanI’m so sorry to read of Roger’s passing. I know he is experiencing an exciting reunion in heaven.
I’m so grateful that our lives bumped up against each other at Spirit of Hope.
Prayers of comfort for you at this time. Cherish your memories you had together.
Blessings,
Glenna Graupmann
Russ Folts
Milford, NE Monday, January 8, 2024 My deepest condolences to Jan, and Roger's extended family. What a great guy, enthusiastic leader, and friend!As I read his obituary, I could hear Roger's words over and over, and hear his enthusiasm for people and for life!
Roger married my wife and I, almost 27 years ago. He and Jan lived across the street from my parents,, Duane and Lucille, and were fondly treasured friends!
-Russ Folts
Linda Kohrs
Omaha, NE Saturday, January 6, 2024 Sending heartfelt condolences to Jan and her family for the loss of Roger. I will keep all of you in my thoughts and prayers. My warm memories comfort you now and in the days to follow.Linda Kohrs