ForeverMissed
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Tributes
April 7, 2021
April 7, 2021
I could sit here and read each of these tributes to a life well lived. I only met Don once or twice, but I will see him again. What a day that will be! With deep love for his family, in Christ.
Richard Martin
April 7, 2021
April 7, 2021
To the entire Pfotenhauer family, We are sorry to hear about Pastor Don's passing. We are sure he is comforted right now, though.
He was an amazing person—a real role model, excellent teacher and he was encouraging to me personally; I know that he deeply loved the Jewish people, and that always was meaningful to me. When I think about the quality children that he and Marti raised—that too speaks volumes about who he was :)

Thanks for letting us know. Marti, may He give peace and comfort to you and to your entire family.

David (and Margalit)

Rabbi Dr. D. Friedman
Director
Bet Midrash Lev Zion
Jerusalem, Israel
March 31, 2021
March 31, 2021
Laura (Hintz) Robinson
March 29, 2021

As a young girl named Laura , any time Uncle Donald would come to visit us, he would loudly sing, "Tell Laura, I Love Her" and I would get embarassed and hide in my bedroom. As time progressed, I grew to relish his singing, especially when accompanied by his siblings as they sang old German songs in harmony around the dining room table! He had an infectious smile and a kind heart.
March 31, 2021
March 31, 2021
JoAnn Magnuson
March 30, 2021

Dear Pfotenhauer Family & Friends,
I wish I could be present at the celebration of Don's life, but I have to celebrate from home at this time.
On July 2nd, 1971 I drove out to Blaine with a car full of friends from Pilgrim Lutheran Church in south Mpls.
I got a bit lost on the way and by the time we arrived at your house the prayer meeting had started. Our little Bible study group from Pilgrim had been praying for guidance as to the reality of the Charismatic Movement. We had heard about your story and decided to check it out. We knew we were at the right place when we heard praise songs floating out from the living room.
As we tip-toed through the kitchen and found chairs in the dining room, I was silently praying for direction. Suddenly I heard a voice and these words, "If this is true it could cost you everything you've got!" I pondered that for a bit and then silently responded, "If it is true it is worth everything I've got."
Don and the elders prayed for us after the meeting. I came home and sat down to pray. I realized I was speaking words I didn't know. I flipped open my Bible and landed on Psalm 81:5; "I heard a language I understood not."

Things moved quickly after that. By October 30, the week of Reformation Day, Pilgrim held a sort of "heresy trial" and excommunicated 12 of us from the Wisconsin Synod. The headline in the Minneapolis Star Tribune weekend religion page read: "12 suspended from local Lutheran church." And listed our names. Thus began years of wonderful adventures!

For me the adventure involved leading 69 study trips to Israel; 15 trips to Poland and an amazing collection of friends from all over the world.

I'm 83 years old now, and my doctor wants me to avoid groups of people at this time. But I'm with you in spirit and I'm praising the Lord today for the role that Pastor Don played in my life. I suspect that songs of thanks and praise are echoing back and forth from Minnesota to Heaven and back again today. Love, JoAnn
March 30, 2021
March 30, 2021
I started going to Way of the Cross as a little girl, Julie Martini Dustin, I was part of the last confirmation class. I just want to say thank you for Pastor Don's faithfulness. The impact of that, which then impacted my family, my children and my Grandchildren. I shutter to think where we would be without the Lord... May the Lord be with you in the days and weeks ahead. May you feel his presence during this time....
March 30, 2021
March 30, 2021
I only knew Pastor Pfotenhauer as a small child at Way of The Cross Church, but the impact he’s had on my life has lasted a lifetime. My family had many deep, difficult struggles throughout my childhood. But there was a period of time when we attended Way of The Cross that we as a family knew the deep peace and love of God in our lives. Our time spent there has forever impacted my heart and encouraged me to seek the glory of God in my own life and for the lives around me. Pastor Pfotenhauer and Marty were true servants of God who carried the heart of The Father and impacted powerfully all who came into contact with them. The memories I have from Way of The Cross are forever etched upon my heart and encourage me to live a life worthy of His Name. The world lost one of the greatest leaders I’ve known, but Father God gained His glorious inheritance of His Beloved Son. Thank you Don, Marty, and family for your commitment and sacrifice to the ministry of Christ Jesus to the church. You have and continue to forever impact my life and the lives of those whom you’ve shown the love of The Father to. Marty, may you be blessed knowing the legacy your husband has left behind. May Father God surround you at this time with the same comfort and love that you and Don lived to bring to His church. Don will forever be missed, but his legacy will forever be carried on in our hearts and lives. Much love to the Pfotenhauer family from ours to yours. God bless you ♥️
March 30, 2021
March 30, 2021
Uncle Don was so pastoral in his outlook. He would look in your eyes and see Jesus and you’d feel the power to live into that! I think he truly loved us all and we’re so grateful for that love. As we age, we realize how rare a person he was. Marty and family- you can be so proud of him! 
With love in our memories,
Viv and John Justus.
March 29, 2021
March 29, 2021
Don, you loved so much and so freely. Your adventurous spirit encouraged us greatly. Your compassion went deep and never failed to challenge our hearts to find more within us. Thank you Don for being a father leader friend. We’ll all miss your smiles til we meet you at heavens gates.
Farewell til then.
March 26, 2021
March 26, 2021
Though Dear Pastor Don will be much missed by everyone who knew him, we rejoice with you all in celebrating his New Life in the presence of Jesus.
We’ve not seen Don and his lovely Marty for many years now, but they’ve both made an indelible mark on MY life ..and place in my heart. His loving shepherd’s heart and dynamic & life building teachings are still truly missed. It still seems that no pastor or preacher I’ve known or heard since.. could fill his shoes. Lovely memories remain. And more than a unique and gifted pastor and apostle, he was just “special”... and I have the diamond willow lamp he gave me as a lovely remembrance.
Gary and I are sincerely thankful... to God first, and to Marty and his family, for sharing him in being that special part in our Walk with The Lord.
God’s ‘Grace upon Grace’, His unfathomable Peace, and His abundant Blessings to Marty & his family. Maryetta & Gary Passon
March 23, 2021
March 23, 2021
Our hearts and prayers are with Marty and family at this time. Don had a huge impact on our lives as a young family who wanted more from “religion” and instead encountered a relationship with the living, loving God. Don made the Word of God alive and relevant. The entire course of our walk with the Lord was set into motion under Don’s teaching. May all who knew him feel the comfort from our precious Lord that Don taught us to lean on. Kathy and Bill Bucklew, Lakeland, FL
March 22, 2021
March 22, 2021
Our love and sincere condolences in Don’s passing. He was a true elder brother in the Lord. May the Holy Spirit bring you comfort in this time .
                 Rev. Bob and Jane Burmeister
March 21, 2021
March 21, 2021
Under Don's tutelage, Way of the Cross was during my 12th - 14th years of life, the PERFECT place for me to be! Thank you Don and Marty for listening to The Spirit. In many ways, I owe to you who I am to today, some 40+ years later.

RIP, Don. Thanks, Marty & family!

Thomas Longfellow, D.O.
March 16, 2021
March 16, 2021
To Marty and all your beloved family: Reuven and I, Mary Lou are grateful to have had Pastor Don and Marty in our lives throughout our years living in Minnesota. There is much than can be said and others will no doubt say it better. Don is forever alive! We are grateful for his love and compassion and all the time we got to spend with Don and Marty in their home. Our kids will never forget playing cards with Don and Marty!! Such genuine people. 
March 15, 2021
March 15, 2021
Don was a one-of-a-kind person. So special. So thankful for him and his impact on my life. He was my first pastor for many years after I came to know the Lord. I will always remember Don’s eyes. When I looked into his eyes, I was taken aback by the immense kindness in them. I’ve never encountered a person with as much kindness in his eyes as were in Don’s.

I always loved the way Don sung all the songs and hymns! So much enthusiasm and gusto! I was brought up Catholic and had never seen such a display of gusto in church!

Don played a very significant role in my life when he, quite literally, stood in the gap when I married a divorced person. He protected us from all the vitriol by some people.

Love your family. Loved seeing the kids grow up and come into their own. Prayers for Marty and you all.
March 15, 2021
March 15, 2021
Marty and family, my heart is filled with gratitude for sharing Don with us. Don was/is the real deal. His Godly example, tender heart and caring spirit was so freely given to all. I can hear him singing "Daughter of Jerusalem" and when it's my time to move to heaven, him saying loudly "Bonnie B' with a twinkle in his eyes.  Also he grew the best rhubarb which he shared with me every summer. Thank you.

March 15, 2021
March 15, 2021
Dear Family,
Words cannot adequately express Don's impact on mine and my family's lives. We thank God for his friendship, encouragement, pastoral love and care along with your mom Marty for all of us in our formative years as Christians and following Jesus. We treasure are memories of living life and serving the Lord together. While he is now rejoicing in heaven, we pray for Marty and all of you for God's comfort and encouragement in now adjusting to life down here without him. Much love and blessings, Tom & Susan Stuart

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