Eugene Walter Menzel

Gene Menzel of Grant, Alabama, passed away on December 19, 2023, at the age of 77. Gene was born in Serbin, Texas and attended St. Paul Lutheran School for his elementary school years and later Giddings High School. Gene then attended Sam Houston State as an agricultural student but was led to change his course and become an educator in the Lutheran School System. He enrolled at Concordia, Austin, Texas, and then later at Concordia Teachers College, Seward, Nebraska where he graduated in 1969 with a Bachelor of Science in Education degree.

His initial assignment was fifth grade teacher at Grace Lutheran School in Huntsville, Alabama. In 1970 he was called to be their principal, and in August 1972, Gene completed his Master’s Degree in Education: Administration & Supervision, at Samford University, Birmingham, Al. He later served Grace Lutheran as Minister of Christian Education/Principal until accepting a Call in 1986 to Green Park Lutheran School in Lemay, MO. With 500 students, Green Park Lutheran School was an association school of three congregations, with a fourth congregation added during Gene’s time at Green Park. After five years of serving in Missouri, Gene accepted the Call to come back to the Southern District and serve as principal at Atonement Lutheran School in Metairie, Louisiana in 1991.

During his tenure in the district, he served on the Southern District Board of Directors, Missions and Accreditation Committees, chairman of both Principals and Teachers Conferences, youth gatherings at district and national levels, and the national Lutheran Education Association Board.

In September of 1999, Gene accepted the position of Executive Assistant for Parish Services, being responsible for schools, youth, family, recruitment & scholarship, and parish leadership within the Southern District. He was a mentor to many in the district, encouraging schools and congregations with their ministries.

After retirement, Gene moved back to northern Alabama in the summer of 2014, where he continued to serve God and His church through the ministry of Grace Lutheran, in Huntsville, AL. There, Gene enjoyed his time leading the Saints Alive senior group, organizing the Saturday Men’s Bible Study, and serving as the Outreach Director. He worked tirelessly and yet effortlessly in connecting with new people and made a point to make people feel welcome and loved. He leaves a lasting legacy at Grace of what it means to be a welcoming church, and he will be remembered as the person on Sunday mornings who knew everyone’s name.

In addition to his service at Grace during his “retirement years,” in 2020, Gene began serving as the interim Southern District Education Executive, providing guidance to teachers during the trying times of 2020 and continued in this position until his passing, giving leadership to schools, especially those working on School Accreditation.

Gene was an avid sports fan and especially enjoyed following the St. Louis Cardinals.

Gene was preceded in his death by his father and mother, Herman and Blandina Menzel, brother and sister-in-law Melvin and Bonnie Menzel, brother-in-law Milton Mersiovsky, uncle Martin (Cherry) Menzel, and aunt Hermina (Willie) Zoch. Gene leaves behind his wife, Lorna Streufert Menzel, brother Donald Menzel, sister Elaine Mersiovsky, brothers-in-law Richard (Carol) Streufert, Dale (Julie) Streufert, James (Sylvia) Streufert, John (Allison) Streufert, sisters-in-law Kathryn (Al) Forsberg, and Pamela (Rick) Frost as well as nieces and nephews and their families.

Visitation will be held Thursday, December 28, 2023, from 5-8 PM. at Valhalla Funeral Home & Memory Gardens located at 698 Winchester Rd. Huntsville, AL. Memorial Service will be held at 11:00AM Friday, December 29, 2023, at Grace Lutheran Church, 3321 South Memorial Pkwy, Huntsville, AL. with light luncheon to follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Grace Lutheran Building Fund.