Rodney Arthur Schrank

With heavy hearts yet steadfast hope in the Resurrection, the family of Rodney Schrank announces he was called home to be with his Lord and Savior on October 29, 2026, surrounded by his family.

Rodney was born in Milwaukee to Earl and Viola Schrank on August 4, 1935. He was baptized into God’s family on September 1, 1935, confirmed on April 1, 1949, and graduated from Milwaukee Lutheran High School. Early on, he showed a keen interest in sacred liturgical church music, learning first to play the piano and then the pipe organ. 

He attended Concordia Teacher’s College in River Forest, Ill., earning a Bachelor’s degree in Education, and subsequently a Master of Music degree from Northwestern University. He then embarked on his career, teaching Lutheran elementary school and serving as a church organist and choir director at Lutheran churches in Baltimore, Milwaukee and Houston.

In 1969 he accepted a position at Concordia Publishing House in St. Louis, rising to the level of Director of Music Publications. During his time at Concordia, he forged close collaborations with several distinguished composers, including Paul Manz. He also served as organist and choir director at churches in St. Louis. 

In 1986 he founded MorningStar Music Publishers in St. Louis, along with his business partner, Ruth Lewis. Over the next 12 years, they grew MorningStar into an influential publisher of sacred organ, choral and instrumental music for Christian organizations around the world, with over 800 publications. MorningStar continues to thrive today in providing an expanding Christian music ministry. Throughout his career of more than 40 years, Rodney was active in the American Guild of Organists and other similar organizations, and he served as a mentor and confidant for aspiring church musicians and composers. 

Rodney always loved the outdoors, particularly the Northwoods of Wisconsin. In retirement, he cherished being able to live year-round at his lake home in Mercer, taking in the beauty of God’s creation all around him.

Rodney is pre-deceased by his parents and his older sister, Beverly Belau (Jim). He is survived by his four children: Marc (Valoree) of Warwick, Rhode Island; Kathy Kendree (Dan) of Tempe, Arizona; Karen Wagener of St. Louis, Missouri; and Greg (Mary Kay) of Bloomington, Minnesota. He is also survived by ten grandchildren, their spouses, a great-grandchild, two nieces and their spouses and children.

A celebration of life service will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, November 20, at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, 3045 Chicago Ave., Minneapolis, with visitation at 2 p.m. at the church preceding the service. The service will be livestreamed on the Mt. Olive YouTube channel (@MountOliveMinneapolis). Rodney previously requested those attending the service to wear festive attire, celebrating his earthly life and his eternal life now in heaven. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests consideration of donations to: Peace Lutheran Church in Arbor Vitae (peacearborvitae.org); Mt. Olive Lutheran Church (mountolivechurch.org); Feed the Children (feedthechildren.org).