William E. 'Bill' Ludwig, 78

William E. "Bill" Ludwig "went to be with his Savior and Lord" on Wednesday, March 4, 2009, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell, at the age of 78. He died of congestive heart failure and struggled with diabetes for many years. He was born Feb. 2, 1931, in Sidney, to Martin and Ethel (Gadcke) Ludwig.

Bill received a Bachelor of Science degree in education from Concordia College, Seward, Neb., and a Master of Arts degree in ancient history from the University of Colorado in Boulder.

Teaching students the love of Christ and the many facets of history were his passions. He enjoyed teaching special classes to the eighth grade students at Trinity Lutheran School about World War II and the Holocaust, emphasizing that "those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it."

Bill married Marilyn Knocke on June 18, 1955, in Great Bend, Kan., and they spent 53 beloved years together. They had four children: Douglas, Scott, Brenda and Brent.

Bill enlisted and served in the United States Army and fought in the Korean War, achieving the rank of sergeant in the 7th Division, 49th Field Artillery. After serving his country for two years, he felt called to serve the Lord full-time.

He was called to serve as teacher/coach at Redeemer Lutheran School in Denver for five years. He accepted a call to serve as principal of Trinity Lutheran School in Kalispell in 1961 and maintained that position until he retired in 1993. He also was director of Trinity Lutheran Camp in Bigfork for 42 years.

In his early years in Kalispell, Bill was a member of the Lions Club. He also was a member and chairman of the Community Concert Association for 13 years. He served as teacher representative for the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod's Board of Directors for 12 years and also served for six years on the Synod's Board for Higher Education. He loved hosting tours to the Holy Land, and traveled there seven times.

Of the many awards he received, one of his highlights was when he went to Washington, D.C., in 1986 to receive the Distinguished Principal's Award for private/parochial schools.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Ruth; and a baby brother, Michael.

He is survived by his wife, Marilyn Ludwig, of Kalispell; three sons, Douglas Ludwig of Vienna, Austria, Scott Ludwig and wife, Carol, of Marysville, Wash., and Brent Ludwig of Kalispell; one daughter, Brenda Bradford, and husband, Greg, of Colorado Springs, Colo.; four grandchildren, Nathaniel, Hannah, Shayla and Laynie; three brothers, Eugene Ludwig and wife, Wilma, of McMinnville, Ore., Delton Ludwig and wife, Janet, of Billings, and Larry Ludwig and wife, Jackie, of Fayetteville, Ga.; brother-in-law, Dr. Robert Jacob, of Jefferson City, Mo.; with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral services for Bill will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 10, at Trinity Lutheran Church, with Pastor Mark Cutler officiating. A private family burial will be held. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, March 9, at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home.

Prior to his death, Bill requested memorials could be designated to the Trinity Lutheran School Endowment Fund, 495 Fifth Ave. WN, Kalispell, MT 59901; or to Trinity Lutheran Camp, c/o Trinity Lutheran Church, 400 W. California St., Kalispell, MT 59901, to establish a scholarship fund for campers who are unable to afford camp fees.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Bill's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and sign Bill's guest book.