Of interest to Grace Lutheran member might also be the tornado that happened in South Dakota. The vacancy Pastor of the church damaged, Rev Scott Spiehs, was brother to former member Steve Spiehs and voc ag teacher at NOHS. Here is the LCMS report of that tornado:
South Dakota damages
On June 18, two days after the Nebraska storm, another tornado — rated an EF2 by the National Weather Service with winds between 111 and 135 mph — tore through the small town of Wessington Springs, S.D.
It damaged Zion Lutheran Church there, the church’s unoccupied parsonage and the homes of two elderly members, in addition to dozens of other homes and businesses.
All the windows of the church were broken and a 12-foot-long piece of wood punctured Zion’s roof. The day after the tornado, pieces of white siding hung from the church’s exterior. Broken tree limbs, insulation and twisted wood littered its property.
“We’re just real blessed here,” said Zion vacancy pastor Rev. L. Scott Spiehs, who also serves as the LCMS South Dakota District Disaster Response coordinator. “The sirens went off 20 minutes before the tornado hit. Everybody took shelter. Only one person had minor injuries.
“We are totally giving glory to God because everybody’s safe.”
To watch a video interview with Spiehs, visit http://video.lcms.org/archives/2766. (See below)
LCMS South Dakota District President Rev. Dr. Dale L. Sattgast said the area where the tornado hit looks like a “war zone.”
“The people in South Dakota are resilient,” he said. Despite the damage to their property and other possessions “they all realize what a miracle it was that no lives were taken. I think they will use this to give witness to the Gospel.”
The home of Lenora and Lyle Pawlowski of Zion Lutheran Church in Wessington Springs, S.D., was severely damaged by a June 18, 2014 tornado. (LCMS Communications/Al Dowbnia)
The home of Lenora and Lyle Pawlowski of Zion Lutheran Church in Wessington Springs, S.D., was severely damaged by a June 18, 2014 tornado. (LCMS Communications/Al Dowbnia)
Zion members Lyle Pawlowski, 79, and his wife, Lenora, 78, were at a state park when the storm hit. When they returned to their ranch-style house, they discovered most of the home’s windows broken and about one-third of the roof damaged.
“There are holes in the ceiling where stuff went through it,” said Lenora Pawlowski, before tears overwhelmed her. “There is glass everywhere. We have swept and swept glass. We don’t really know what to do.”
An engineer said the home is unsafe for the couple to stay in overnight but they have been allowed inside during the day to clean. A tarp covers the roof.
“We thank the good Lord for what we’ve got,” Lyle Pawlowski said. “There’s a piece of wood that came in through the window in the shape of a cross. It’s stuck in the door with a leaf on it. We know the good Lord is here.”
The couple is staying with their son about 30 miles away.
When asked how the LCMS church family could help, Lyle Pawlowski replied, “Prayer. Prayer will do it. That’s all the help we need.”
Zion members Norman Tapken, 80, and his wife, Wanda, 68, took shelter at the local courthouse during the storm. When they returned to their house, it appeared as if someone sawed the entire roof off. They were told not to go inside because it was unsafe.
The Tapkens are staying in a local motel until they figure out what to do next.
“It’s God’s will,” said Wanda Tapken, “but it’s hell on earth. It’s amazing that nobody was killed.”
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