A Memorial Service will be held:
Christ Lutheran Church
760 Victoria St, Costa Mesa, CA 92627
Tues Sept. 3, 2019
At 11am
In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to the Michael J.Fox Parkinson's foundation
Obituary:
Earl Fredrick Nuechterlein, 82, died peacefully in his sleep at his home on Wednesday, August 28, 2019 in Costa Mesa, CA. He was called to his heavenly home after enduring many years with Parkinson’s and osteoarthritis. Earl is survived by his loving wife, Virginia, his son Marc (wife Mary Catherine) and children, Grace (10) Davis (7) Fields (4) Millicent (3) and his daughter Sue Livadas (husband Michael) and children Melina (15) and Olivia (10).
On February, 19, 1937, Earl was born in Alpena, Michigan to his father Alwin O. Nuechterlein (d. 1973) and Lydia K. Nuechterlein (Rutkowsky d.2004). He was the first of four siblings and was a brother to Allan, Janet (married Roger Winfield) and Lois ( d. 2011). He grew up in a family surrounded by a steadfast belief in Christ through Immanuel Lutheran Church, Alpena. His schooling began at Immanuel Lutheran School, continued to Alpena High School (class of 1954), Alpena Community College (1956) and the University of Michigan (1959), where he earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees and a teaching credential. Years later, he continued his education at Pepperdine University, receiving another Master’s degree.
A lifelong learner, educator, sports enthusiast and trivia expert, Earl took his knowledge to Southern California’s youth after college to teach, first at Corvallis Middle School, then to Excelsior and finally Norwalk High School. He was an educator for over 35 years was a beloved teacher who not only taught the curriculum for social studies, civics, and geography, but life skills such as learning the vast freeway network of Southern California and developing a program for ESL students. His dedication to his school, included announcing the high school football games, chaperoning dances, coaching golf, soccer, basketball and more.
Early in Earl’s teaching career, he met the woman he would marry. Another transplant from the midwest, Virginia was also in California to teach. Upon their meeting he found out she had gone to the Lutheran-founded University of Wittenberg in Ohio, which endeared her to him. In Dayton, Ohio on July 8, 1967, Earl’s uncle, the Rev. Walter Rutkowsky joined them together in marriage. Their life was full of joy and love for 52 years.
The Church has always been his rock and his joy and since 1971 Christ Lutheran Church in Costa Mesa has been his home in faith. He dedicated much of his life to his church. Earl served on the Board of Education and expanded Easter Play Day from 6 children to what it is today by reaching out the congregation and surrounding community to spread God’s love. He was known as the Coffee and Doughnut man and Men’s Saturday Bible class breakfast chef and member. He was always one of the first to greet and welcome into the fold a new congregant. He loved his church, his Lord and his family.
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