Celebrating Legacy: The Klemps & Kruegers

Klemp and Krueger have become household names at Concordia, with multiple generations of students attending the university. Recently, these legacy families have merged into one through a uniquely heartwarming union.

In May 2019, the Krueger family patriarch, Rev. Robert Krueger, HS ‘63, AA ‘65, married the Klemp’s matriarch, Katherine Klemp, and two legacy families became one. Both widowed, Bob and Katherine had crossed paths throughout their lives without ever realizing.

They officially met at a district convention that Bob attended with a mutual friend, Paul Graff. Months later, Katherine ran into Paul and his wife, Marilyn, and they asked what her plans were for the winter. Paul suggested she come with them to Florida. Bob would also be going for the season and Katherine was excited to hear that he hosted a Bible study.

Katherine followed Bob and his son down to Florida and Bob eventually hopped cars so Katherine wouldn’t have to drive down alone. Through this road trip, their relationship began.

Upon arrival, they found themselves united once again in the same complex.

“He was in 204 and I was in 404,” Katherine shares, “so, we’d be up and down the staircase and it ended up that we spent a lot of time together those two months.” She reminisces fondly, saying, “I mean, how would you ever have that kind of time to get to know somebody? By the time we were heading home, we knew we wanted to get married.” They say their children were accepting, but understandably curious, having not met their step-parent-to-be. Phil Klemp, BA ‘91 told Bob, “I’m so happy to meet you because we thought she might marry a biker guy.”

Sarah (Klemp) Berwald, BA ‘01, MA ‘07 remembers getting the call from her mother. She says, “I immediately suggested that she look at having the wedding at CSP since it is and has been a home to both our families.”

Come May, Katherine and Bob shared vows at Concordia’s Graebner Memorial Chapel.

Along their journey, they have realized just how much they have in common and how many mutual connections they share, from Concordia to conferences. They came to the conclusion that their sons, Rob and Matthew, had likely battled in a high school wrestling match decades prior, while Katherine's daughter, Anna, BA ‘98 and Bob’s son, Jon, BA ‘98 had been classmates at Concordia.

Between Bob and Katherine, they have eleven children, thirty-five grandchildren, and one great grandchild. The couple jokes about adding a big porch to their house just to fit the extensive family they now share, many of whom are CSP alumni or currently attend the university.

When asked why they think so many of their kids decided to attend Concordia, Katherine shares, “It just felt like home and their dad loved it.”

Eugene Klemp, ALJC ‘27, HS ’25 (deceased)

Rev. Robert “Bob” Krueger, HS ‘63, AA ’65 married Linda Krueger (deceased) remarried Katherine (Klemp) Krueger Rev. Paul Klemp, HS ‘57, AA ’59 (deceased) married Katherine (Klemp) Krueger

Dr. Robert Krueger, CSP Faculty married Rachel Krueger, CSP Faculty

Jonathan “Jack” Krueger, ‘22

Anna Krueger, ‘24

Jonathan Krueger, BA ‘98 married Michelle Krueger Philip Klemp, BA ‘91 married Alyssa (Chase) Cloeter, BA ‘92

Emily Klemp, ‘23

Philip Klemp, BA ‘91 remarried Jeannie Miller

Alyssa (Chase) Cloeter, BA ‘92 remarried Robert Cloeter, BA ‘77

*If you’re a part of the Klemp or Krueger family legacy and not listed here, let us know and we’ll add you! If you’re a member of a different legacy family, visit one.csp.edu/legacyform to give us your legacy information. Peter Klemp, BA ‘92 married Gail (Newman) Klemp, BA ‘90

Noah Klemp, ‘21

Stephen Klemp, ‘93

Matthew Klemp married Jenny (Westling) Klemp, PSEO ‘95

Anna (Klemp) Martin, BA ‘98 married Jeff Martin

From left to right: Sarah (Klemp) Berwald, Anna (Klemp) Martin, Scott Krueger, Rev. Stephen Klemp, Matthew Klemp, Philip Klemp, Katherine Klemp Krueger, Rev. Robert Krueger, Peter Klemp, Rob Krueger, Paula (Klemp) Wilson, Marcus Klemp, John Krueger

Following in their father’s footsteps has been a legacy in itself for the Klemp children. Their father, Rev. Paul Klemp, HS ‘57, JC ‘59, followed his Current Concordia students Anna Krueger (Freshman), own father, Eugene

Emily Klemp (Sophomore), Jack Krueger (Junior) and Noah Klemp (Senior) Klemp’s, HS ‘25, JC ‘27, legacy in attending both Concordia High School and Junior College.

“CSP is all about family,” Rev. Stephen Klemp, ‘93 says, “I attended there with two older brothers (Phil and Peter, BA ‘92) as well as walking in the footsteps of my dad. Much of who I am today was formed and solidified while attending CSP.”

The feeling of home is something Katherine’s children have reiterated and can trace back when looking at the start of their own families.

Sarah and Peter both met their spouses while attending CSP, and consider campus as a second home.

“Every time Gail [(Newman), BA ‘90] and I return to the campus it feels like home,” Peter shares. He adds that it has been exciting to see all of the new renovations on campus, from the health and wellness center, to the Hyatt dorms, and the remodeling of the music building, noting that these are spaces his son, Noah, BA ‘21, has been able to utilize as a current student.

Katherine tells a humorous anecdote, explaining her children’s desire to follow in their family’s footsteps. She and her late husband, Paul, had brought the family to visit Phil, the first child to attend CSP.

“I remember we were sitting out on a picnic table over by Central. Phil talked us into going to get ice cream and we had bubble gum ice cream. We’re sitting at the table and he says ‘I can’t believe you guys haven’t had bubble gum ice cream before,’ and Marcus says, ‘Phil, here you sit in the lap of luxury and you’re criticizing us because we haven’t had bubble gum ice cream’.” Katherine laughs, noting that to her children CSP was the lap of luxury.

Currently, there are four Krueger/Klemp students continuing the legacy at CSP, with the youngest, Anna Krueger, ‘24, noting how unique it is to have one legacy student in each class (Noah Klemp, ‘21, Jack Krueger, ‘22, Emily Klemp, ‘23, and Anna).

CSP has always felt like home to Anna and her brother, Jack, as both of their parents, Rob and Rachel are math professors. She says, “I have run around here since I was a child.”

Jack also highlights these childhood memories, reminiscing over time spent hanging out in the math offices with his parents, “I would always play around in the phone booth and throw stress balls down the hallways and look at the stuffed goose that now takes my place in the phone booth.”

Their father, Rob Krueger, is the current head of the math department. While he is not a CSP alumnus, he shares this is only because they hadn’t offered a complete math program at the time. Instead, he went to Concordia University Nebraska, and earned his Ph.D. at University of Nebraska, where he met his wife, Rachel. Together, they came back to CSP to help start the math program that Rob had been seeking many years prior.

“I was called to Concordia University, St. Paul and accepted the position in 2001,” he shares. “Together with Rachel and Dr. Sarah Jahn, we built a math program we are very proud of. The cherry on top is that our son, Jack, is now a student in our program.”

Anna (Klemp) Martin, BA ‘98 notes the excitement of seeing their legacy live on saying, “I am so happy to see my nephews and nieces who are able to go to CSP and hear the stories of the great experiences they are having there!”

“My prayer is that Concordia University, St. Paul will flourish for another 30 years so we can add another generation to our legacy!” Rob adds.

With the abundance of grandchildren between the Kruegers and Klemps, their legacy is bound to live on at Concordia, St. Paul.

Concordia University, St. Paul has launched the Center for Biblical Studies, offering another significant resource for The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and beyond.

CSP Professor of Theology and Ministry Rev. Dr. Reed Lessing will lead the Center. His focus will be on providing Christ-centered biblical resources that align with the Lutheran confession of the Christian faith.

“Regrettably, there is often a divide between the academic world and the church, between biblical scholarship and people in our churches,” Lessing says. “Rightly understood, however, biblical scholarship exists for the sake of the church.”

“One of our strategic goals is to accent our Christ-centered purpose as a Lutheran university,” says Concordia President Brian Friedrich. “That means we are serious about serving the LCMS— the Center is now an additional way for us to do just that.”

Vice President of Academic Affairs Transition

Dr. Kevin Hall, BA ‘83, will transition into the position of Vice President of Academic Affairs this upcoming spring 2021 semester as current VP of Academic Affairs, Dr. Marilyn Reineck, transitions into a new role as Assistant to the Provost for Special Projects. Dr. Reineck’s primary responsibility will be focusing on preparing the University for its Higher Learning Commission four-year review submission. She intends to retire from CSP at the conclusion of the Spring 2021 Semester. Dr. Reineck has been instrumental in the oversight of faculty to update the faculty handbook, revise and solidify faculty tenure and advancement in rank, implement program review, and has helped assure continued accreditation in all of CSP’s accrediting agencies including a full 10-year approval by the HLC. She has also helped expand degree offerings at Concordia, from Associate of Science to the Educational Doctorate terminal degree. Under her leadership, the University has expanded its college structure to five colleges, the graduate school and school for continuing studies. Dr. Reineck has served in her current role since June 2015 after spending nearly four years as the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at Concordia University, Chicago. Prior to her time at Chicago, she served a number of administrative roles at Concordia St. Paul as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences (2009-11) and as the department chair of Communications Studies (1995-2009). She began teaching at CSP in 1980. Lessing added that one of the most exciting facets of the new Center is that it’s more than a series of annual seminars and workshops. Rather, the Center will be grounded in the work of Concordia and actively engage students, faculty, alumni, local-area pastors, and others both locally and globally.

“We want to be responsive to any gaps in available resources and needs among those whom we hope to

serve,” he shares.

Dr. Marilyn Reineck Dr. Kevin Hall

Appointed to the role of Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs in 2019, Dr. Hall has been responsible for providing leadership in increasing student success by focusing on effective pedagogy and curricular innovation. Dr. Hall has been instrumental in preparing the campus to engage with the Curriculum and Instruction Center, which helped faculty prepare and adapt to instructional changes due to COVID-19.

Dean of the College of Business & Technology since 2014, Dr. Hall centers his work on helping students and faculty engage in exceptional learning experiences – both inside and outside of the classroom. He originally joined CSP’s faculty in 2006 to teach and serve as the coordinator of the Director of Christian Education program where he designed and taught undergraduate and graduate courses for face-to-face, online, and blended delivery in a wide variety of subjects related to business, family life science, Christian education, and leadership.