Jon S Enslin

MADISON - Jon Enslin, age 83, died peacefully on Wednesday, April 14, 2021. Within hours of suffering a massive stroke, he took his last breath in the presence of his family. Jon was born in Milwaukee on April 4, 1938, to Henry and Gertrude Enslin. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Richard and Donald. Jon grew up in Wauwatosa, Wis. He attended the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, where he completed his studies in piano. He was a graduate of Carroll College, Waukesha and Northwestern Lutheran Seminary, Minneapolis. He was awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Carthage College, Kenosha. During his seminary studies, Jon completed a year-long internship at Frederick Lutheran Church, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. While there, he met his future wife Crystal, who was part of a Luther League work camp. After graduation Jon served the church in a variety of calls: as mission developer and pastor of Christ the Servant Lutheran Church, Waukesha; as senior pastor of St. Stephen's Lutheran Church, Monona; as Bishop of the South Central Synod of Wisconsin; and as the interim head of the ecumenical office of the ELCA in Chicago. In retirement his interim ministries continued in Madison as chaplain at Oakwood Village Lutheran Homes, rector of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, and pastor of Luther Memorial Church. In his final years, he had more time at his cabin in northern Wisconsin, where he enjoyed reading, fishing for muskies and relating to family and friends. Jon is survived by his wife of 56 years, Crystal; son, Jonathan, his wife, Kay and their sons, Jacob (fiancée Jane Schumann), Samuel and Joseph; and son, Joshua, his wife, Julie and their sons, Henry, Charles and George. A funeral service will be held at Luther Memorial Church, Madison, on Saturday, May 1, 2021, with inurnment in the church's columbarium. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, attendance is limited to registered guests. Please note that because of the pandemic, in-person worship attendance is limited to 100 people. You may RSVP starting at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 25, 2021, on the Luther Memorial Church website at www.luthermem.org. Family and friends who wish to view the service via LIVE STREAM may visit Jon’s obituary page at www.gundersonfh.com and click on the Live Webcast link at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 1, 2021. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Jon's name to the Luther Memorial Foundation, 1021 University Ave., Madison, WI 53715 or Oakwood Village Foundation, 6201 Mineral Point Road, Madison, WI 53705. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson West Funeral & Cremation Care 7435 University Ave. (608) 831-6761