Global Ministries is Saddened to Learn of the Death of Rev. Gustav Henry “Gus” Kuether
Global Ministries is saddened to share the news of the passing of Rev. Gustav Henry “Gus” Kuether on Monday, November 17, 2025, in Town & Country, Missouri. He was 88 years old.
Born on July 11, 1937, in Parkersburg, WV, Rev. Gustav Henry “Gus” Kuether, was named after his two grandfathers and was baptized into the Christian faith on September 12, 1937, at the Federated Church in Pomeroy, OH. He was the son of the late Rev. Ralph Leslie Giese Kuether and Christine Marie (Deters) Kuether, and his journey of faith was confirmed on March 18, 1951, at St. John’s E&R Church in La Crosse, WI.
Gus’s life was a beautiful tapestry woven with threads of service, learning, and music. From his early days playing clarinet in the La Crosse Civic Band to his first jobs at the local library and camera store, he exhibited a tireless work ethic and a curious mind. This foundation led him to Elmhurst College in Elmhurst, Illinois, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1959, and onward to Eden Theological Seminary in Webster Groves, MO, where he received his Bachelor of Divinity in 1963.
Gus married Suzanne L. Higgins on August 4, 1962, at Emanuel United Church of Christ in Manchester, MI, the very church where he would later be ordained on June 16, 1963. Their 63-year partnership was a testament to shared faith and deep love, and he was preceded in her passing by only a few months on March 19, 2025.
In 1963 Gus and Sue were appointed as mission co-workers with the United Church Board for World Ministries (predecessor to Global Ministries), serving the Instituto de Lengua in San Jose, Costa Rica. They then went on to serve in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, from 1964 to 1976. His global service continued as World Service Secretary in St. Louis, MO, and later as an Associate Conference Minister for the Illinois Conference of the UCC.
Beyond his official titles, Gus’s greatest legacy is the love he poured into his family. He was a devoted father to Scott (Sandy) Kuether, Lynda (Jennifer) Kuether, and Lori (John) Schultz. He was a doting grandfather to Brittany and Emily (Matt) Kuether; and Matthew (Alexa), William, and Zane Schultz, taking immense joy in baptizing and later confirming each of them, marking their spiritual milestones with his own hands and heart.
Rev. Kuether was preceded in death by his wife, Suzanne Kuether; his parents, Rev. Ralph L. & Chistine Kuether; and his brother and sister-in-law, Rev. Ralph D. & Penny Kuether. A Celebration of Life service to be held on Sunday afternoon, December 14, 2025, at St. Paul United Church of Christ, Belleville, IL.