Edward Harry Einem

Reverend Edward Einem was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Jan. 12, 1928 to Harry and Cecilia Einem. He received new life in Christ through the waters of Holy Baptism on Feb. 26, 1928 at Mount Olive Lutheran Church and was confirmed at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church on April 6, 1941.

After graduating from high school, Pastor Einem served in the Army for two years. Following his honorable discharge from the military, he and his cousin, Erwin G. Rehbein, founded the E & H Construction Company and built homes in the Fox River Valley area of Wisconsin. It was during this time that he met Marion C. Liedtke, and they were married on June 9, 1951.

In 1957, the Holy Spirit led Pastor Einem to enter Concordia Seminary, Springfield, IL, to begin five years of study for the Lutheran ministry. Upon ordination in 1962, he accepted a call to establish Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, a mission congregation in Waukegan, Illinois.

After five years of service, Pastor Einem accepted a call to the Lutheran Home and Services for the Aged in Arlington Heights, IL, as Chaplain and Assistant Administrator. During this time a lay-visitation program for the Chicago area was developed through his direction known as Project Compassion. In 1972, he accepted a call to Detroit, Michigan to serve as Chaplain at Oakwood Hospital and Director of Project Compassion in the greater Detroit area.

Pastor Einem served as the vacancy pastor at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Westland, MI, as well as various other congregations. He served on the Synod’s Board for Jewish Evangelism and as the chairman of the Lutheran Institute for Jewish Evangelism. He authored several tracts published by Concordia Publishing House and recently completed a life-long dream of writing a book entitled “Did Jesus Really Say That?”

Pastor Einem was preceded in death by his loving wife of 57 years, Marion. He is survived by his three children, Sandy Kratzer (Mike) of St. Louis, MO, Mark (Jane) of Northville, MI, and John (Brenda) of Augusta, KS, his 5 grandchildren, Joelle, Kristi (Arden), Jodi, Jeremy, and Breianna, and his beloved friend Helen Barger. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed an active lifestyle, including time spent with his grandchildren.

“To all I say, God is faithful. Seek Him. Trust Him. Walk with Him daily and I will see you soon in eternity. Love, Ed.”

Memorials may be made to Project Compassion Ministries Inc (http://www.projectcompassion.net), Lutheran Institute for Jewish Evangelism (http://www.lije.org), or Christ Church of Redford (http://www.christchurchredford.org).