In Memoriam: Pastor Ward Irwin Yunker

by Thomas Prachar

Rev. Ward Irwin Yunker was born in La Crosse, WI in 1974 and grew up in Rochester, MN, where he graduated from John Marshal High School. After graduating from Concordia University, St. Paul, MN with a BA in 1997, he attended Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN graduating in 2009 with an M.Div. He was ordained into the Holy Ministry on May 31, 2009. After making the long trek to the site of his first call in Winnipeg, Manitoba, he was installed as Associate Pastor at Peace Lutheran Church on June 28, 2009. In September, 2011 he was placed on Candidate Status. During the next few years, he continued to serve at congregations around the Red River Circuit including Grace Lutheran Church, Beausejour and Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, Winnipeg. On September 13, 2015 he was installed as pastor at Grace, Beausejour, with his father, Pastor Arthur Yunker serving as guest preacher. While continuing to grow from Pastor Ward’s presence in their midst, in time this small congregation could no longer support a pastor financially. Pastor Ward was also experiencing a little homesickness for the US. In January, 2019 he decided to move back “home” living with his parents, Pastor Arthur and Grace Yunker, in Lake Lure, NC until he received a call in the LCMS. On December 27, 2020 Pastor Ward collapsed and was taken to Mission Hospital in Asheville, NC where he was diagnosed with high blood sugar and COVID-19. He was immediately placed on a ventilator. On January 13, 2021 our gracious Lord called Pastor Ward to his heavenly home.

Pastor Ward was not the perfect pastor. He recognized his sin and need for a Saviour in Jesus. With his booming voice—he did not need a microphone!—he proclaimed sin and grace, Law and Gospel to the sheep committed to his care. Pastor Ward served God’s people with a gentleness that showed he genuinely cared for them and the issues they faced in life. His Bible studies and/or topical studies presented to the pastors at our Red River Circuit gatherings were well-researched, thorough and informative. He also provided excellent minutes for those meetings.

Pastor Ward also became involved with the Beausejour community as he became a cast member of “Haystack Productions” which presented plays and dinner theatre for that small community. His love for drumming made it possible for him to become a session drummer at the Royal Canadian Legion. He remained close to his Mississippi roots always searching for the perfect barbecue or best hot sauce.

The members of Grace Lutheran Church, Beausejour, and Peace Lutheran Church, Winnipeg extend their deepest sympathies to Pastor Art and Grace and their entire family. Pastor Ward was a faithful pastor touching many lives in these congregations as our Lord worked through him. The pastors and deacons of Lutheran Church–Canada, and in particular the Central Region and Red River Circuit, also extend our comfort and the hope of the resurrection not only to Pastor Ward’s family, but to his spiritual family at Augustana Lutheran Church in Hickory, NC and Pastor Gaven Mize who is their shepherd. While you are far away, you are still close to our hearts as we continue to keep you in our prayers.

Our hope in our gracious Lord is certain as expressed through the apostle Paul: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7-8).

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Rev. Thomas Prachar is Lutheran Church–Canada’s former Central District President Emeritus.

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