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IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Arthur
Preuss
June 18, 1932 – January 5, 2025
Obituary
Arthur L. Preuss, Sr.
Arthur Lee Preuss, Sr., 92, went home to his Lord and Savior on January 5, 2025 at Lakeshore at Siena.
Art was born in Arlington Heights, IL on June 18, 1932, to Theodore and Ruth (nee: Bendien) Preuss. While attending seventh and eighth grade at St. Peter Lutheran School, he began playing the organ for church services at The Lutheran Home. Following in his father's footsteps, he received his high school and college education at Concordia River Forest. During his junior and senior years of high school and throughout college, he served as organist and choir director at Faith Lutheran Church in Arlington Heights. As a college senior, he was also an instructor of music, serving on the Concordia staff and teaching 33 students a week.
On June 12, 1954, Arthur married the love of his life, Grace Wunsch, whom he met while at Concordia. His first divine call was to St. Paul Lutheran Church in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, where he served as teacher and music director until accepting a call in 1957 to St. John's Lutheran Church and School in Racine. While working and beginning a family, Art earned his Master of Music degree from Northwestern University in 1961. Art was also instrumental in rebuilding and enlarging the magnificent Schlicker pipe organ at St. John's. He was so proud of that organ and played it magnificently!
The impact he had on the members, colleagues and students at St. John's Lutheran Church and School and the community will be forever remembered and cherished. His exuberant passion and incredible work ethic for serving God and spreading the gospel message with his amazing musical gifts and positive personality were second to none.
Arthur Preuss directed the Children's Choir, Junior Girls' Choir, Senior Choir, Handbell Choir, and the Brass Ensemble, as well as soloists and instrumentalists. The size of the volunteer choirs and the many musicians who performed regularly for Sunday morning services, concerts, and special services are evidence of the strength of the music program he established. Every worship service he played was reverent and meaningful with the music he provided. Several traditions that standout include: 62 Christmas, Concerts, Easter Services ("I Know That My Redeemer Lives" and "The Hallelujah Chorus"), Reformation Sunday ("A Mighty Fortress Is Our God"), etc. The spiritual lives of countless members have also been enriched by the special music arrangements and choral selections he directed at baptisms, confirmations, weddings and funerals.
He wrote hundreds of arrangements for choir anthems, choral songs (some which have been published), handbells and trumpets and has written the lyrics and composed the music for fourteen hymns, including "St. John's Hymn of Praise" which he dedicated to the church in 1985.
Although Art is best known for his gift of music, he was also an outstanding teacher who had amazing relationships with his students. Many have fond memories of having him as a teacher and state what a positive impact he had on them and their education.
For his lifelong professional achievements, Art was given the prestigious Alumnus of the Year in 2015 at Concordia College in River Forest.
Art hur's wife, Grace, of over 70 years, provided love and support for him in every way possible throughout his life. The many sacrifices she made was a testament to their love for one another and their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Art is survived by his wife Grace Preuss, children Bonnie (Jeff) Christensen, Nancy Preuss, Mary Preuss and Art (Denise) Preuss, grandchildren Julie (John) Langebartels, Kevin (Holly) Christensen, Ashley Spencer (Talon Myers) and Matthew (Elizabeth) Preuss and 10 great-grandchildren (Benjamin, Elizabeth, Jacob, Hannah, Leah, Ryan, Aiden, Zachary, Madison and Connor). He is also survived by four sisters-in-law: Carolyn Fiedler, Mary Preuss, Ardis Koeller, and Doreen Wunsch and many nieces and nephews.
A special thank you to the entire staff on the second floor of the Lakeshore at Siena Center who provided him with excellent care.
Visitation will be Thursday, January 9, from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. and Friday, January 10, from 10:00 a.m. until time of service at 11:00 a.m. Both visitation and service will be at St. John's Lutheran Church, 1501 Erie Street. Interment will follow at West Lawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials to St. John's Lutheran Church or Racine Lutheran High School have been suggested.
+++Soli Deo Gloria!+++
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Services
Second Visitation
January
10
St. John's Lutheran Church
10:00 - 11:00 am
Funeral Service
January
10
St. John's Lutheran Church
Starts at 11:00 am
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