Rev. Albert Llewellyn Hock

The Reverend Albert Llewellyn “Bud” Hock, age 99, a faithful servant of the Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, joined the Church Triumphant on Monday evening, March 26, 2018, at the Strawberry Point Lutheran Home. He was born on August 9, 1918 to Fred Hock and Helena Baumgartner Hock in Waterloo, Iowa. Bud went to Cass No. 10 country school and attended high school in Strawberry Point, Iowa.  He graduated high school in 1935. In 1936 he attended Iowa Teacher's College (now UNI) to become certified to teach country school.  Bud spent two years teaching in the country school he attended as a child, from the fall of 1937 to the spring of 1939.  His students included his sister, Evelyn, and brother, Fred.

Pastor Al began seven years of studies, starting at Wartburg Seminary in the fall of 1939. On September 9, 1944 he married Martha Druecker at St. Sebald Church. His long career as a pastor began when he was ordained on January 25, 1945 at Wartburg Seminary. He was installed as a minister at St. Luke Church in St. Paul, Minnesota on February 4, 1945. The congregation grew and Pastor Hock led the congregation in the building of a new church on the corner of Edgcumbe Road and Field Avenue, which was dedicated on February 2, 1958. Pastor Hock and his wife Martha served St. Luke Church for 39 years.  Martha played the organ and piano for services and accompanied him on many pastoral visits and nursing home services.

In addition to his work at St. Luke, Pastor Hock also edited and authored confirmation materials for the American Lutheran Church, was secretary of the Southeast Minnesota ALC District for nine years and was chaplain of Highland Chateau Nursing Home. In 1956 he founded the Southwest St. Paul Cooperative Ministry, which included the Jewish community and seven Christian denominations. In 1968, Pastor Hock gave a sermon entitled “If I forget You, O Jerusalem.” A friend sent it to the Mayor of Jerusalem, Teddy Kolleck, and the mayor and Pastor Al began a correspondence, which eventually led to him receiving the Jerusalem Mayor's Medal of Honor.

Pastor Al was very knowledgeable about the history of the St. Sebald Colony, and was asked by the church council of St. Sebald Lutheran Church of rural Strawberry Point, to write the history of the colony. What started out as a pamphlet, turned into a 304 page book: The Pilgrim Colony- the History of Saint Sebald Congregation, the Two Wartburgs, and the Synods of Iowa and Missouri. which also included the stories of Wartburg Seminary, Wartburg College, the Iowa Synod and the Missouri Synod. It was published by Lutheran University Press in 2004.

In 1984 Pastor Al and Martha moved back to their hometown of Strawberry Point, Iowa. Pastor Al continued his ministry in Strawberry Point, serving as an interim pastor for many congregations in the area, and performed weddings and funerals. He also led services and Bible studies at the Gernand Center and weekly Bible studies at the Franklin Hotel.

Pastor Al’s wife Martha passed away in 2004.  In 2005, Pastor Al married Gerda Lehs Waskow and they were married for 10 years, until Gerda passed away in July 2015.

Pastor Al was an enthusiastic servant of the Lord.  He loved preaching and teaching the gospel.  He also very much enjoyed God's world.  He enjoyed gardening and happily delighted in the fruits of his labors...strawberries, tomatoes, and roses seemed to be his favorites.  And Pastor Al was a walker.  He delivered morning papers to residents of the Gernand Center each morning by six and kept on the move right up until he broke his hip several months ago.  He was a voracious reader and never stopped wanting to learn.

Pastor Al and his three siblings had a special bond that lasted throughout their lives and their annual family get-togethers were the highlight of the year for them. Pastor Al was “Uncle Bud” to his nieces and nephews, who loved visiting him. He entertained and guided, making each one feel special. “Uncle Bud” performed many weddings in his family and gave his loving support in times of sadness.  

Pastor Al’s life has been an inspiration to his nephews and nieces and their spouses and children who survive him, as well as all of the rest of his entire family, and his many friends and colleagues.  He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Martha; his second wife, Gerda; one brother, Fred; two sisters, Vera Schwarz and Evelyn Wandersee; brothers-in-law, Pastor Richard Schwarz and Orville Wandersee; a sister-in-law, Fern Hock; and a nephew, Jon Schwarz.

“Well done good and faithful servant…enter into the joy of your Master.”  Matthew 25:23

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the North American Lutheran Seminary (NALS) and the Society of the Holy Trinity (STS).

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