Obituary: Rev. Darrick Peter Kolterjahn

February 5, 1946 ~ February 10, 2022

Darrick Peter Kolterjahn was born in Oshkosh, Wisconsin on February 5, 1946.  He was the first of three children with which the Lord blessed his parents, Edward Kolterjahn and Elaine nee Marquardt. Darrick was brought to faith in his Savior by the power of the Holy Spirit through the washing of Holy Baptism at Grace Lutheran Church in Oshkosh on March 3, 1946. Rick confessed his faith in his risen Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, at his confirmation on April 10, 1960 at Grace Lutheran Church of Oshkosh. Rick graduated from Grace Lutheran School in 1960. Rick attended South Park Junior High School and graduated from Oshkosh West High School in 1964. He then attended the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee in electrical engineering for two years.  In the fall of 1966, he transferred to Northwestern College in Watertown, Wisconsin to become a Lutheran pastor.  Rick graduated from Northwestern College in 1971.

On June 12, 1971, Rick was united in marriage to Barbara Rickrode at Grace Lutheran Church of Oshkosh. Barb and Rick had met while they both worked at Bethesda Lutheran Home in Watertown.

Rick continued his studies at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon, Wisconsin. In his final year of study at the seminary in Mequon, he and Barb managed and operated a group home for eight developmentally disabled adults. Rick and Barb went on to receive guardianship of their daughter Emily, the youngest member of the group home. Rick graduated from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in the spring of 1975.

Rick and Barb served in the dual parish of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Naper, Nebraska and Zion Lutheran Church in Bonesteel, South Dakota. They served these congregations from 1975 to 1985.  During this time, they were blessed with four children, Benjamin, Nathaniel, Jonah, and Katherine. In 1985, they moved to Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania where they served at Our Savior Lutheran Church until 1994. They had three more children, Aaron, Isaac, and Mary.

In December of 1994, they began their ministry at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin until Rick retired in August 2016.  Rick served at St. Peters for almost 22 years and for a total of 41 years in the full-time ministry.

Rick enjoyed watching the Green Bay Packers and running. He ran 44 marathons and many 10K’s. He qualified and ran two Boston Marathons in 2007 and 2008. In retirement, they enjoyed traveling and visiting their children and grandchildren. Rick and Barb moved to Green Bay in October 2016. Rick did part-time ministry at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church. On June 12, 2021, Rick and Barb enjoyed their fifty-year wedding anniversary. On September 1, 2021, Rick accepted a vacancy call to Grace Lutheran Church of Crivitz, Wisconsin.

Pastor Darrick Kolterjahn was called to his eternal joy and victory in heaven by his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, peacefully at his home surrounded by family on February 10th, 2022. The Lord blessed him with a time of grace on this earth of 76 years, and 5 days.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Elaine Kolterjahn; one infant brother, Craig Kolterjahn; one daughter, Emily Podrug; and a number of other relatives.

Rick leaves to mourn his departure: his wife, Barb Kolterjahn of Green Bay, Wisconsin;  five sons, Benjamin Kolterjahn and his wife Stacey of The Woodlands, Texas, Nathaniel Kolterjahn and his wife Sophie of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Jonah Kolterjahn and his wife Rachel of Dousman, Wisconsin, Aaron Kolterjahn of Fredericksburg, Texas, and Isaac Kolterjahn and his wife Allie of Sturgeon Bay; two daughters, Katherine Szerkins and her husband Keith of Green Bay, and Mary Picone and her husband Joe of Tampa, Florida; 18 grandchildren; one sister, Paula Hathaway and her husband John of Oshkosh, Wisconsin; two nephews; and many other relatives and friends.       

The family extends their heartfelt thanks to Unity Hospice for their care and support.

A visitation is scheduled to be held Tuesday, February 15, 2022, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Green Bay. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 16, 2022, at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church in Green Bay with Rev. Leon Ehlert officiating.  Visitation will continue from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service on Wednesday. Memorials may be directed to Wisconsin Institutional Ministries or St. Peter Lutheran Church or Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church.

Forbes Funeral Home of Sturgeon Bay is assisting the family.  On-line condolences may be offered at www.forbesfuneralhome.com