LEAven Blog

Every so often one meets an individual who makes an impression, one that stays for a time. Such a connection may be due to some aspect of the meeting, like sharing something in common, a faith connection, a discovery that was quite credible, or just a relational nod like “There’s just something about you!” One such person is Fred Bleeke, a retired church worker who has been called an influencer, a fixer, one who is intuitive, and a man filled with godly wisdom. Fred lives on the outskirts of Walburg, Texas – a community just north of Austin, Texas. Lutheran roots are deep here. His family heritage is both a credible and incredible story of life serving the Lord through the vocation of teacher. The word teacher is a treasured one. Read ahead to better understand why. When interviewed for this blog, the first thirty minutes were spent walking through Zion Lutheran School hallways and classrooms, conjuring up dozens of memories from his time as a student – while his father served as both teacher and principal. The beginnings of this school were from the year 1882 – the same year the church began.

Walking into the main entrance, there are plaques that honor past teachers, principals, pastors, and those who served at Zion through the years – or who went on to serve within the church at large. Fred pointed to his father, his son, and others who related to his family legacy. His name was there, too.

Speaking to Fred across a conference table, the conversation was delightful, hearing memories that led to understanding many connections in ministry. There were a multitude of questions about his father, W. G. Bleeke – whose name continually comes up in conversations and in memories by so many at Zion. Some excerpts:

• Teacher Bleeke received the Call to teach on 17 March 1930 to Zion Lutheran Church and School. He was a graduate of Concordia Teachers College, River Forest, Illinois – leaving after just two years due to the teacher shortage throughout the country. He finished his degree at Southwestern University in Georgetown, with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Beyond his teaching and administrative responsibilities, he was very involved in the local community: the Health Department, polio vaccine, TB, 4-H, and he was even asked to be considered for county judge.
• A teacherage was provided for his family (although it had been sold and moved, it is still standing in local Walburg). He was not only a teacher but also a long-standing principal.
• He led the charge to build a new schoolhouse, one that came from lumber from barracks at nearby Camp Swift. With extra wood left over, there was no reason not to build a gym and a stage. Teacher Bleeke made sure it was done.
• Fred described his family as parochial – in the sense that the family was immersed in the life of the church. His dad played the organ every Sunday. He was part of the Walther League leadership. He cleaned the school. He was totally focused on the ministry. When he got home, he downed a Pearl beer (a San Antonio brewery product) – drinking it straight down. It was a daily tradition; it was refreshing after a long day’s work. His 1960 salary was $2000. Fred knew that he would become a Lutheran school teacher since the fourth grade!
• Fred’s father was an entrepreneur – buying up land for $65 an acre and later selling it for $110 an acre.
• Growing up, according to Fred, was great! Big garden. Chickens. Cattle. Never a negative word about the people of the church. One time, on the family’s way home to Indiana, they stopped in at Concordia Publishing House in St. Louis to pick up curriculum and then to Concordia College Austin to pick up other supplies. Family time, but also using time wisely in ministry.
• Life was often hard, too. Fred’s mom lived in a fishbowl, living so close to the church.
• Even though he was a principal, all those around him continued to call him “Teacher Bleeke,” out of incredible respect for this most important office. His dad was extremely strict as far as discipline and work ethic.
• All the children of the church were expected to attend the school. Most did. The school was just an extension of the church. The reputation for Zion students in the local high schools was incredibly positive. It still is today.
• At Fred’s mom’s funeral, the church was packed – to show respect for Teacher Bleeke. Walter Bamsch gave Fred (who was a teacher at Concordia High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana at the time) $100 so he could come back from there to attend the funeral.

W.G. Bleeke was the consummate churchman. Back then, teachers often went by their initials and their last name: Wilfred Gerhardt Otto Bleeke was his full name. He was born and raised at Immanuel Lutheran Church at Bleeke Settlement, just outside of Decatur. This is also close to the Lutheran school Wyneken Memorial, named after Friedrich Conrad Dietrich Wyneken – the second president of the LCMS, and who also helped found Concordia Theological Seminary.

            It was remarkable speaking with W.G. Bleeke’s son. He embraced the past in such a meaningful way, and yet he spoke about the hardships within a church worker’s family. He served as a teacher, and then “took his own path” and deeply influenced the church throughout his lifetime as well. Despite the challenges, there are countless family members that went into the ministry as they heard God’s calling. Church work was not only immense joy and a passion for them – but they spread the word of God wherever they served. When asked about the challenges of today and how we might apply what can be learned from the past – it was noted that it takes an incredible number of resources to not only provide for a parochial school today, but also the commitment to make them sustainable. We are to BOLDLY proclaim those who instruct our children as “Teacher.” Our Lord and Savior was called by this name. We need to see our role as one of ministry. But just as important – we should seek out ways to serve our communities or the church at large, in meaningful ways. We need to take the church into the lives of people who are hurting. The Spirit will work whenever people are in the church. Our leaders should be bound to talk up our Lutheran schools, from the pulpit and beyond. We are wise to remember these words that Teacher W.G. Bleeke often proclaimed, “Gottes wort Luther’s lehre,” translated from the German as “God’s Word and Luther’s Teachers.” How fitting to be able to listen to a son talk about his father in a way that teaches all of us how history can bless us and push us forward in our vocations – helping us to build and maintain our Lutheran identity.

            Teacher W.G. Bleeke was often blessed by the twenty-third Psalm. May we be as well…

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

² He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters.

³ He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.

⁴ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.

⁵ Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.