OMAHA, NE (November 24, 2010) – A funeral service will be conducted Saturday for Duane L. Aschenbrenner, a member of First Covenant Church who for several years served as parliamentarian for Annual Meetings of the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC) with offices in Chicago.

Aschenbrenner, 80, died Monday. His wife, Naida, survives.

Visitation will be observed Friday beginning at 3 p.m., with family members receiving friends from 6 to 8 p.m. at the West Center Chapel, located at 78th Street and West Center in Omaha.

Saturday’s service will begin at 11 a.m. at First Covenant Church, 201 North 90th Street.

Aschenbrenner served as parliamentarian in 1986, 1989, 1990, from 1998 through 2005, and again during this year’s 125th anniversary celebration in June in St. Paul, Minnesota. He also served as Annual Meeting vice moderator in 1991 and 1992 and as moderator in 1993 and 1994.

“Duane embodies what it means to faithfully serve God regardless of vocation,” said ECC President Gary Walter upon hearing the news. “He was clearly a leader in his field and served generously in the community, his church and the Covenant. His booming voice belied a gentle spirit shaped by the Spirit of God.”

“One thing stood out in Duane’s life,” says First Covenant senior pastor Wes Gibson. “Duane loved his family – his wife, his kids and his grandkids. His family was the highest priority in his life.”

Aschenbrenner retired a number of years ago from the faculty at the University of Nebraska-Omaha where he served as a professor of speech and the debate coach.

“Having been a professor of speech and the debate coach, he was an educator at heart,” Gibson said. “He wanted people to excel and put forth their best effort for God. He was happy to give the pastor feedback, too – his desire was to help the pastor be the best communicator possible.”

Aschenbrenner at one time served as chair of the Christian Education board, participated in drafting a new constitution and bylaws for the church a number of years ago, and sang in the choir among other activities. “He loved the choir – had a great voice,” Gibson added.

In addition to his wife, survivors include a brother, Jay (Mary) Aschenbrenner; three children: Cynthia (Wes) Wilson, D. Mark (Michelle) Aschenbrenner, and Suzette (Colin) Brown; and seven grandchildren: Jourdin, Paige, Corbin and Jamieson Brown; Emma and Ethan Aschenbrenner; and Ben Wilson.

Memorials may be directed to First Covenant Church or the Nebraska Heart Association.

More information will be posted by Covenant News Service as it becomes available.