MILWAUKEE — Lloyd Huebner, former president of Doctor Martin Luther College (DMLC), in New Ulm, died Dec. 8 in Milwaukee Wisconsin at the age of 95. His wife, Inez Hueber, died less than 24 hours later.

Lloyd and Inez Huebner were married for nearly 70 years and spent 30 years in New Ulm, making many connections in town.

Lloyd Huebner began working at DMLC in 1967 as dean of students. He would later serve as president from 1980 to 1993. DMLC two years later combined with Northwestern College, the Wisconsin Synod’s pre-ministerial college, to create the current Martin Luther College.

Under Huebner’s tenure, DMLC saw significant changes. The central mall to the college was developed after Huebner limited vehicle traffic to the edges of campus. This created the beautiful foliage and walking spaces on campus.

Under academics, he encouraged curriculum study, faculty development and regional college certification. In the 1980s, Huebner saw the importance of technology’s role in education and brought computer literacy and usage to the college.

The Secondary Education majors and staff ministry programs, now popular at the school, began just before his retirement in 1993.

Lloyd and Inez’s son, Pastor Jim Huebner, remembered the family’s time in New Ulm. He said for his father, it was important the college not be a city on the hill separate from the New Ulm community.

“He wanted to weave the students and staff into the community,” Jim said.

His father was involved with the Rotary Club and even learned to golf to make connections at the New Ulm Country Club.

His mother also made many civic connections working at NUSCO Securities and State Bond Morgage Company.

“They had about 30 years of friendships in New Ulm,” Jim said.

Jim remembers his father being a part of the creation of HeritageFest. He said when the family first came to New Ulm, Polka Days was still held on Minnesota Street. Together with Dr. Howard Vogel and Leo Berg, his father helped moved the Polka Day celebration to the Brown County Fairgrounds in the early 1970s and that was the start of HeritageFest. This celebration later became Bavarian Blast.

Huebner never forgot his duties as a pastor. Jim said his father loved to serve as a pastor while working for the college. He liked maintaining contact with his students. Even as an administrator he found time to each lunch in the cafeteria every day to maintain a connection. He also kept a close eye out for a student who might go astray.

“He had a special eye for students who were struggling,” Jim said. “He would watch out for those who had troubles, but who believed could still serve the church well.”

In his time as dean of students, he was often on the discipline side of the student relationship, but Huebner was determined to reach out to students and help them mature.

Jim said his dad missed being a teacher, even when serving as an administrator and found any way he could to maintain a connection with students.

He once had himself appointed to the college Choir Tour Manager position to join the students on bus rides to performances.

“It was all about helping kids become students of the Lord,” Jim said. “That’s what he wanted to do more than anything.”

Pastor Jim Huebner said his parents did cherish the connections they made in New Ulm for over 30 years. Though it was sad to lose both parents so close together, his family believed it was a blessing Lloyd and Inez passed within a day of each other. The couple was married for 69 years and the family believed it was fitting they should both pass to their final reward together.

Memorials for the couple may be sent to Martin Luther College in New Ulm or to Grace Lutheran Church, 1209 N. Broadway, Milwaukee, WI 53202.

A celebration of life service is being planned for June 2021.