By Chad Koenen

Publisher

While some pastors come and go, Pastor Karl Weber and his wife Mary have been a mainstay at St. Johns Lutheran Church in Ottertail and St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Richville. After all, if both sides have a general fondness for one another, and you live in the heart of lakes country, why would you ever want to leave?  ¶  Over the Labor Day weekend, members of the St. John’s Lutheran Church in Ottertail honored Pastor Weber with a glass cross to commemorative 20 years at the congregation. It’s a joint partnership that Pastor Weber said he has cherished since originally being called to serve in the two congregations in 2004.  ¶  Originally a computer programmer in the Twin Cities, Pastor Weber felt a pull to join the ministry. He attended seminary school and has been serving as a pastor for 33 years.  ¶  “The Lord led me here, it’s a divine call,” he said. “It’s been 33 years of blessed life.”

While serving as a pastor in Decatur, Ill., Weber received a phone call from David Cloeter who asked Weber’s family to come to the Ottertail area to visit and see if the Ottertail and Richville congregations would potentially be a good fit for the churches and Weber family. 

While Pastor Weber had previous commitments that he could not break to make the trip to Minnesota, his wife Mary happened to be in Roseville that weekend in 2004. She came up to the area, fell in love with the communities and the family quickly found themselves moving to the heart of lakes country. Pastor Weber joked he may be one of the few pastors to never make the trip to a congregation. However, he followed his wife’s intuition about the potential partnership between the Weber family and two churches in Otter Tail County. 

“Everyday I thank Jesus they called me to be their pastor,” said Pastor Weber. “It’s just been a blessed relationship.”

Not only has Pastor Weber been appreciative of his time in the heart of lakes country, but he is also thankful for the members of the two congregations. He said the church members have been wonderful to serve with during his time in Ottertail and Richville, not only during the good times, but during the difficult times as well. Some of the compassion and caring from the two churches were put on full display when his wife Mary was diagnosed with cancer five years ago.

“Just the outpouring of love and hot dishes and offers of rides,” said Pastor Weber. 

Throughout his time in Ottertail and Richville, Pastor Weber said he is thankful that the two congregations offered him a call to serve as their pastor. He said he has enjoyed his time in the communities, the opportunity to go bike riding in the countryside and lakes, as well as see how the congregations work well with one another. For example, he said the St. Johns Lutheran Church in Ottertail has completed several projects within the church, as well as an expansive parsonage project thanks to the help and expertise of church members who are all willing to lend a hand. He said that willingness to share their gifts for the greater good has been a blessing, and in many ways, has brought the congregations closer together.

The Webers currently have five children, five grandchildren and another grandchild that is due just about any day.