Rev. Alan W. Kamens

Age 80, of Lansing, MI, died in faith December 9, 2016. He was born April 23, 1936, in Meriden, CT, to the late Otto and Katherine Kamens.

Pastor Kamens was an ordained pastor for 53 years. He started his pastoral career with Hope Lutheran Church in Detroit. He became an assistant to the bishop of the Michigan Synod. Following that, he came to Lansing to pastor Grace Lutheran Church, where he retired after 27 years of service. While in Detroit, he was actively involved in, and committed to promoting social justice, which continued through his commitment to urban ministry.

Pastor Kamens is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Sue; daughter, Lauren (Russ) Stolberg of Charlotte; grandchildren, Alex, Elena, and Andrew; brother, Kenneth (Ruth) Kamens; sister, Carolyn (Ronald) Callen; and many nieces, nephews and other extended family members. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Alison Beth Kamens, in 1997, and his sister, Barbara Dunn.

The funeral service will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 13, 2016, at University Lutheran Church, 1020 S. Harrison Rd., East Lansing. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery, Lansing. His family will receive friends from 4-7 p.m. on Monday at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel, and beginning at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday in the fireside room at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to University Lutheran Church Campus Ministry or to Samaritas (formerly Lutheran Social Services of Michigan).

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20 Messages to “Rev. Alan W. Kamens

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Kirk Havel
December 9, 2016 at 7:51 pm

Sue, I extend to you my condolences. Al was the consumate pastor and leader advocating for social justice. I loved working with him and the church is poorer without him. May you be blessed by the promise of the resurrection. Peace and a big hug are sent your way.

Kirk Havel

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Kirk Havel
December 9, 2016 at 7:56 pm

Sue, I send you my sincere sympathy on Al’s death but I know that he and you have full trust in the promise of the empty tombe. Peace and a hug are sent your way.

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Cathy Gaupel
December 10, 2016 at 12:38 pm

I am so sorry to hear of Rev. Alan’s death, but he now resides with Jesus our Lord, and he’s with Alison – a joyful reunion! Your family was one of the most loving, cohesive, ‘God first, then family’, kind and caring families that I was privileged to know. May you find comfort in knowing Rev. Alan rests in peace, and was an integral part in many person’s lives. May God hold you in the palm of His hands at this most difficult time in your lives.
Many blessings to you! Cathy Gaupel, RN

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Pa Pastor Frederick G. Overdier.r
December 10, 2016 at 3:55 pm

Ruth and I are so sorry for your loss. When I came to MI in 1970 Al was a prophetic voice for social justice and the gospel. I was in awe of him, received much inspiration. We cherished the opportunities for conversations in recent years. May the Lord bring you strength and peace.

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Jonathan Jacobs
December 10, 2016 at 4:06 pm

Hi Sue. Joanie and I just heard of Al’s death via Jimmy Hughes. We send our love and condolences. Thank you for opening your home to us last May. I will cherish the last visit we had with Al. Al was a mentor, friend and a prophetic voice for justice for me and for so many in our church. Peace be with you as you celebrate his life this coming Tuesday.

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Terry Torkko
December 10, 2016 at 5:37 pm

Sue, Lauren, Ron, Carolyn, and all the family, Kim and I send our deepest sympathies to each of you. Al was an astute pastor, confidante, and solid in every way. I recall him stating that in the most difficult of times, he would always fall back and preach the gospel. And so it will be. Thanks be to God!

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Spencer and Norma Artman
December 11, 2016 at 10:57 am

Dear Sue and family! I am so sorry to hear that Paster K. passed away. I don’t have to tell you how much we loved him. He was always there for our family. with Ken, Mon and Dad. He made their funeral services special. Our deepest sympathy. He had a gift to preach the word of God and he will be rewarded in heaven. Peace be with you as you celebrate his life on Tuesday. I will be there in spirit.

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Kevin Miesner
December 11, 2016 at 2:17 pm

Lauren and Sue, I am so sorry for your loss. Pastor Al made a huge impact on my life. I was and am thankful for the way he embraced me into Grace and your family. Love and Thank you, Kevin Miesner

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Karen & Mike McCloskey
December 11, 2016 at 3:36 pm

Sue and family-
What better purpose in life than living your life in such a manner that all whom you come in contact with can see the face of God. The small piece of earth that you and Al shared with your family and community, has been made better because of Al and your presence and example. Karen and I are better people because of your love and example. There is no doubt in our mind that God greeted Al at the gates of heaven with Matthew’s words words from the talents parable: ” ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.”

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Terry Daly
December 11, 2016 at 8:59 pm

Deepest sorry is shared with Sue and the family. Thank you, Al, for being a faithful colleague in the gospel ministry and moving with justice and compassion all these years in service. The same Lord who greets you also be a strength and hope to the family and your many friends.

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Matthews Family (neighbor)
December 12, 2016 at 12:58 am

Sue, Lauren & the rest of the Kamens family: We are sorry for your loss of Rev. Kamens. May God be with you all, as you celebrate his wonderful life.

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The Lott family
December 12, 2016 at 8:53 am

The Lott family extends our love and sympathy to the entire family of Pastor Kamens. We all benefitted from his leadership at Grace church for so many years. I (Jane) have many of his sermons, which he graciously gave me copies of when I requested them. I still refer to them from time to time! God bless you all, and thanks be to God for the life of Alan Kamens.

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Darrell Neves
December 12, 2016 at 9:46 am

Sue and family. Condolences. Lois and I were sorry to hear of Al’s death. He was a good and faithful servant of our Lord for so many years. He will be missed, but his ministry will go on in the lives he touched. May the peace of God be with you!

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Earl Witten
December 12, 2016 at 11:06 am

Dear Sue and family. I am sorry for your loss. This is a better world having had Pastor Kamens with us.

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Dar and Cori Hoag
December 12, 2016 at 11:18 am

We will always remember Al fondly. His smile, kind spirit and patience in the times of trouble. Our thoughts and prayers are with Sue and their family.

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Brooks filonow
December 12, 2016 at 11:30 am

Dear Sue

Please know how much I appreciated Al for all of the time and effort he gave to Sunset Shores. He was such a kind man. My prayers go out to you and your family.

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Thomas Roncelli
December 12, 2016 at 11:49 am

The Roncelli Family extends it’s condolences. What a wonderful man is leaving us. Kind. Gentle. Caring. Compassionate.
I served on Sunset Shores Board of Directors with Rev. Karmens. It was an honor. Rev. Kamens always guided us with a clear head and no drama.

We at Sunset Shores will miss him deeply.

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Marilyn Grable
December 12, 2016 at 7:21 pm

Al was so faithful in supporting the family of Frank Madsen at such a difficult time. He prayed with us before every parole hearing of my father’s murderer. It meant so much to all of us. God bless all of you in your grieving.

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Robin J McCants
December 14, 2016 at 3:22 pm

Pastor Al served as the parliamentarian for the SE Michigan Synod for several years. I met him and his wife Sue on a flight to Florida for the Churchwide Assembly maybe 10 years or so ago. They were two of the most kindest people I’d ever met. They continued to ask about my sister – a breast cancer survivor – every time I’d see them until the drive from Lansing to metro Detroit became too much. I have and will continue to pray for this loving family. May God Bless you and keep you all the days of your lives!

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Michael Anton
December 16, 2016 at 3:31 pm

God’s peace and comfort for Sue and family as you mourn Al’s death and give thanks for his life and ministry. I was glad to share time and space as Alan’s pastoral colleague in the NWLM Synod. I had much respect for his understanding and expression of the Gospel, especially in terms of social justice.

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