Dr. John Douglas Heruth – Rochester

The funeral for John D. Heruth will be at 11:00am Wednesday, June 29, 2016 at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Rochester, MN with Pastor Dave Berg officiating.  Burial will be in Grandview Memorial Gardens in Rochester.  Visitation will be at the church from 5:00pm to 8:00pm on Tuesday, June 28, 2016 at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church and one hour prior to the service on Wednesday.

Dr. Heruth, 75, of Rochester, MN, died Saturday (June 25, 2016) at his residence after a lengthy illness.  John was born July 3, 1940 in Minneapolis, MN to Bernard and Edith Heruth.

He graduated from North High School in Minneapolis, MN in 1958.  He went on to earn his Bachelor of Art's degree from the University of Minnesota in 1966.  On June 1, 1969, he was granted his Master of Divinity degree from Luther Theological Seminary in St. Paul, MN.  In 1980, John received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Luther-Northwestern Seminaries, St. Paul, MN.

He married Nannette Berg on August 6, 1960.  They were later divorced.  They had 2 children together, Steven and Kristin.  On July 9, 1989, he married Christine Smith at Christ Lutheran Church in Preston, MN.  The couple moved to Bemidji in 1992, where John served as pastor at Calvary Lutheran Church.  In 2000, they relocated to Rochester, MN, where John served at St. Michael's Lutheran Church in Waltham, MN.  He retired from ministry in August 2013 after 43 years of service at 9 different parishes.

John loved fishing, wood working, watching sports, entertaining, baking cookies and spending time with his family.  He was adored by his 2 dogs, Rocky and Coco.  John volunteered with Small Dog Rescue and the Preston Ambulance Service.  He loved to teach adult bible study and share the word of God.

Survivors include his wife, Christine; son Steven of Minneapolis, MN, daughter Kristin (Fred) Lindstrom of Wellesley, MA, stepsons Chuck (Julie) Smith, Christopher Smith, Jeremy Smith and Matthew (Liz) Smith, all of Rochester, MN; 13 grandchildren; brothers Bernard (Dorothy), Gerald (Nancy), Kenneth (MaryKay) and Gordon (Sue); sisters Constance (Roger) Engstrom and Katharine (John) Palmer.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Bernard and Edith.

Macken Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.  Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com