Call to Glory – Dr. Paul Theodore Kreiss

April 2026

Dr. Paul Theodore Kreiss was born on May 11, 1926, in Mulhouse France, the son of Frederic and Louise (Wolff) Kreiss. He had two brothers, Marcel and Alfred. Love existed beyond the walls of their home and included regular activities with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ at the Lutheran Church, where he received the Sacrament of Holy Baptism and was confirmed on March 24, 1940. At the age of 12, Paul was one of the best students in his class, however, the eruption of World War II uprooted much of his childhood. At an early age he learned to live by Psalm 46:1 – “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

While still a teen and into very early adulthood, he experienced many trials and great loss including being drafted by the Germans and the loss of both parents and his brother, Marcel. Through all of the crises of life, Paul clung to the magnificent Anchor of all, Jesus Christ.

He attended the University of Nancy, trained with the French Army, and then attended the University of Paris for a time. He came to the United States to visit relatives, worked at a bakery, and on a trip with a relative, found God’s calling to attend Concordia Teachers College.

He later taught in a one room schoolhouse in Kansas, met his wife Ruth (Froemming) while back at Concordia, and they were married on February 24, 1952. Together, they moved to Massachusetts to teach at a two-room school. Paul earned a master’s degree from Boston University, and the family (now with four children: David, Deborah, Mark, and Tim) moved to Missouri for another teaching position.

In 1960, Paul was called back to Concordia to teach French and German, and over the years their other six children were born: John, Matthew, Joel, Sarah, Susan, and Steve.

Paul received a Ph.D. from Northwestern University in 1968 while serving as the professor of French and associate dean of the School of Graduate Studies. He later served as department chair, director of Correspondence Studies, and acting director of the Center for Continuing Education. He was an active member of the American Association of Teachers of French. His publications include contributions to Norte Culte Quotidien and Taegliche Andachten and numerous other devotions, articles, and translations.

After 45 years of ministry (37 at Concordia), Paul retired in May 1997. In July 20, 2009, Ruth passed away after 57 years of marriage. In retirement, Paul continued to serve by preaching German Services at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Chicago, Illinois. At the age of 91, he revisited his original Ph.D. thesis on the impact of other reformers on Martin Luther and finally published his book titled Luther’s Reformation: From Humble Beginnings to Widespread Restoration.

Paul moved to Knoxville, Tennessee in 2021 and lived there until he went to meet his beautiful Savior, Jesus, at the ripe old age of 99 on April 15, 2026.

He was the beloved father to David (Denise) Kreiss, Deborah (Paul) Studtmann, Mark (Carla) Kreiss, Jon (Molly) Kreiss, Matt Kreiss, Joel Kreiss, Sara Kreiss, Susan (Mark) Hasenwinkel, and Steve (Carol, †2025) Kreiss, and was preceded in death by his son, Tim Kreiss (†2012).

Paul is loved by his 19 grandchildren and his 2 step-grandchildren. He was blessed with 16 great-grandchildren: a great grandson who is on the way and 2 step-great-grandchildren.

Visitation and services will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 305 Circle Drive, Forest Park, IL 60130. Public visitation will be held on Thursday, April 23, 2026 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

A second visitation will take place on Friday, April 24, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., immediately followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow service.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests memorial donations to places close to Paul’s heart:

• Concordia University Chicago: (7400 Augusta St., River Forest, IL 60305) | Donate here

– Designate: 1) Kreiss Endowment Fund (annual student scholarships) or 2) Early Childhood Playground Project

• St. John Lutheran Church (305 Circle Drive, Forest Park, IL 60130).

Paul’s Confirmation verse: John 10: 22-28 (excerpt) “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.”