Reverend Donald Otto Kroll, 81, of Winnie, was called to his eternal rest Sunday, October 11, 2015, at home after suffering from a long illness. Pastor Kroll was born September 26, 1934 in Omaha, Nebraska to Paul E. Kroll and Erna Kusch Kroll. He graduated from Concordia Theological Seminary in Springfield, Illinois. He felt there was no higher calling than being a parish pastor. He was privileged to serve Lutheran congregations in Central Illinois and South Texas before moving to Winnie in 1992. In 2009, at the age of 75, Pastor Kroll retired due to ill health. He served Hope Lutheran Church in Winnie for eighteen years. He was a loving pastor, husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather and great-grandfather.
In addition to the many positions he held within the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod over the years, he also enjoyed making stained glass windows. He also worked as a CASA advocate and sang with the Houston Lutheran Chorale.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Reverend Paul Kroll and sister, Jean McKee. He is survived by his family, friends and members of Hope Lutheran Church, Winnie, Trinity Lutheran Church, Port Arthur, and Trinity Lutheran Church, Sulphur, Louisiana; all of whom he considered family. May the Lord comfort those who mourn.
A Memorial Service will be held at Hope Lutheran Church, 9th and LeBlanc in Winnie, Texas on Tuesday, October 13, 2015 at 4:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution can be made to Trinity Lutheran Church Spanish Ministry, 2400 Fifth Street, Port Arthur, Texas 77640.