Trinity Lutheran 80th Anniversary

Rev. Gerhardt C. Hattendorf was installed at Trinity on September 10, 1961, and served the congregation until February 4, 1968. Pastor Hattendorf, after graduating from the seminary in 1927, had accepted a call to Nagercoil, District of India, and served there until 1945. Upon returning to the states he had served parishes in Kansas before coming to Audubon. He is now retired, and he and Mrs. Hattendorf are residing in Ocheyedan, Iowa. The 50th anniversary of his ordination was observed on August 14, 1977.

On September 29, 1968, Rev. Alfred R. Allmann was installed by Rev. H. Kieck, Circuit Counselor, at Trinity at 8 p.m. Rev. Allmann had previously served parishes in Texas, Nebraska, and other places in Iowa, before coming to Audubon. Pastor Allmann was instrumental in securing a Verlinden Pipe Organ for the congregation. This beautiful instrument has 304 pipes. It is a two-manual pedal organ with five stops on the Great Organ, eight stops on the Swell Organ, and seven stops on the Pedal Organ. Dedication of the organ was held on August 3, 1969. On Thanksgiving Day, 1971, Pastor Allmann delivered the 90th anniversary message to the congregation. He was released from Trinity on August 20, 1972. He and Mrs. Allmann now reside at Julesburg, Colorado.

Rev. S. Persa, St. John's, Audubon, serving as interim pastor, helped with the installation of Trinity's next pastor, Rev. Werner F. Wetzstein, on November 26, 1972. Pastor Wetzstein is a native Iowan, born at Lake View.