Julie Strobl Honored for 28 Years of Service Upon Her Retirement3 min read

On October 9, 2018, during the All Pastors’ Conference Banquet in Boyne Mountain, Mich., Julie Strobl and her family were called upon the stage and she was honored for her 28 years of service to the Michigan District, LCMS.

Julie shared some memories of her time at the District, first working in the Education Department and then moving to the President’s Office. She said, “When I was looking for a part-time job while my children were young, God put it on my heart to call the District Office. He opened the door to the beginning of a job I could never have imagined. Years later, when Caroline [Krueger] retired after 43 years of serving in the President’s office, President Hoesman asked me if I would be interested in taking her place. God gave me the courage to say yes to a job I could never imagine doing. In recent years, it has been a great honor to serve the District with President Maier and a fantastic group of people! I will miss working with all of you!”

Former District President Rev. C. William Hoesman shared some memories about Julie serving as his Executive Assistant during his tenure, and expressed his gratitude for her faithful service. Current District President Rev. Dr. David P. E. Maier also expressed his thankfulness: “I didn’t fully understand President Hoesman’s wonderful respect and admiration for Julie until I spent my first month in the President’s Office. Not only is she totally respectable and amazingly competent, but as indispensable as she is godly.”

Julie also shared: “What an opportunity it has been to serve God by being a part of the Michigan District team for 28 years. I am incredibly grateful! Through this work, I have grown closer to my Savior and learned to trust Him with every part of my life.

The Michigan District staff held a separate farewell party for Julie on October 16, 2019. Everyone in the room was invited to share a memory from the time they worked alongside Julie. She also shared some of her favorite memories from her time at the office: “My first day on the job when everyone was so serious … except George Locke–he made us laugh; having typewriters on everyone’s desk and only two computer stations for the six people working in education at the time; working with Caroline … her patience and honesty were a wonderful example for me to follow;  the last day of the 2009 convention when President Hoesman was leaving the office and President Maier was just starting; attending Pastors’ Conferences and getting to know everyone; gathering for devotions every morning … hearing from God before we started our day, sharing any concerns we had, and praying to our Savior.”

President Maier expressed a sentiment shared wholeheartedly by the whole staff: Julie will be missed. We wish her all God’s blessings as she continues to serve the Lord in her retirement.

_{Pictured above: Christina Strobl, Andy and Julie Strobl, Joyce Schultz (Julie’s mother), Janelle (sister) and Dan Meckes. Photos by Elisa Schulz/Michigan District, LCMS}