Reverend Orin James Striegler

Orin James Striegler, 64, of Kenosha, Wis., died Wednesday, July 24, 2013, at Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center in Milwaukee.
He was born in Philadelphia, Pa., Oct. 28, 1948, the son of the late Eileen (McCunney) and Frank Striegler of Wayne, Pa. He was educated in the Philadelphia area and was proud to serve our country in the United States Naval Reserves.
In 1969, he joined Blue Cloud Abbey, in Marvin, S.D., in a search for truth. He found it while reading the Scriptures in Ephesians 2:8 and 9: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves. It is the gift or God, not of works lest any man should boast.”
He left the monastery in 1971, and moved to Sioux Falls, S.D. He acknowledged his need of a Savior and invited Jesus to come into his life. Experiencing a life change from hopelessness to hope in Christ, his passion to introduce others to the Lord became foremost in his life.
He married Kathleen Larson in Sioux Falls, S.D., on June 3, 1978. He graduated from Sioux Falls University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education in 1980. He greatly enjoyed an exceptional career in the sales profession, winning the Dale Carnegie Sales Course Championship in 1982, in Sioux Falls, S.D. He was the top salesman in the South Dakota/North Dakota/Kansas/Nebraska region for Culligan Water Systems during their 50th anniversary sales contest.
He made a commitment to full time ministry when faced with critical heart problems in 1990. He received his master of divinity degree in 1995, from North American Baptist Seminary. While a student, he pastored the First Congregational Church in Humboldt. He later served Grace Church in Sioux Falls, First Baptist Church in Minot, N.D., and was serving Immanuel Baptist Church in Kenosha.
He was honored by the North American Baptist Seminary in 2001, with the “Signature Award,” for his commitment to personal spiritual development, integrity, faithfulness and obedience to God’s Word. His passion for ministry also involved mission trips to San Carlos, Mexico; Orchid Island, Taiwan; and Bataar, Mongolia.
He was nominated for the 1992 Governor’s Volunteer of the Year Award in South Dakota. He has been a volunteer at the United Hospital Systems, Kenosha, as a volunteer chaplain the past several years and formerly at the Civil War Museum, also of Kenosha. His other interests include history, travel, music, reading, walking, developing and maintaining personal relationships.
James is survived by his wife, Kathleen of Kenosha; sisters-in-law, Mary Bender (Dave) and Virginia Larson, foster mother, Kelly Travers of Mission, Texas; as well as extended family and a host of friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister Sharon Striegler, Upper Darby, Pa.; a brother, Joseph Striegler, Portland, Ore.; and a sister-in-law, Angeline Green, Baton Rouge, La.
Visitation: Saturday from 5 to 7:30 p.m., at the church
Service: 2 p.m. Sunday, at Immanuel Baptist Church Clergy: Rev. Dave Dryer
Burial: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, at Rothsay Baptist Church Cemetery
Funeral Home: Proko Funeral Home and Crematory, Kenosha, Wis.
Local arrangements by Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls.
Condolences: www.prokofuneralhome.com