On Sept. 14, 2026, Reverend Neal Fergus MacLachlan was transferred to his home in heaven to be with our savior Jesus. He was born on Oct. 12, 1938, in Augusta, Wis., the son of F.G. and Frances MacLachlan. He joined the Christian family here on earth through the Word and Water of baptism on March 17, 1940.
At age six, he moved with his family to Park Falls, Wis., where he attended elementary school and high school. He graduated from Wisconsin State College in Stevens Point in 1961. From there he entered Concordia Seminary in Springfield, Ill. He spent his year of vicarage at St. Trinity Lutheran Church, Pontiac, Mich. He graduated from seminary in 1964 with a Bachelor of Divinity degree. Neal later earned advanced degrees from Creighton University and Regis University.
On June 9, 1962, Neal married Janet Fleischfresser of Park Falls, Wis. They were blessed with two children: Margery Bertram (Craig) of Wyoming, Minn. and Matthew MacLachlan of Denver, Colo.
Following ordination, he served churches in Emmetsburg, Missouri Valley, Brainerd, Minn., and Boulder, Colo. He served these churches, members of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, for 36 years. He often served as circuit counselor and delegate to church conventions. Neal’s true love was his Savior Jesus and sharing the good news of the Gospel in the parish and community. He particularly enjoyed conducting adult Bible studies.
He retired in December of 2000. He and Jan settled in Ladysmith, Wis. to be closer to family. They were privileged to be able to do considerable traveling during retirement. Neal continued serving his Lord and Savior by doing pulpit supply, and for a number of years he worked one day a week at Grace Lutheran Church in Augusta, Wis., the town of his birth. He also frequently performed the services at Trinity Lutheran Church in Glidden, Wis. In 2022, Neal and Jan moved into a senior living facility in Lindstrom, Minn., again to be even nearer to family.
Neal was an avid collector of many things: coins, teddy bears, model railroad trains, beer trays, toy lead soldiers, and southwest art objects and a lover of books and learning. He was proud of his Scottish heritage and enjoyed all things Gaelic. He was a member of a Kiwanis club in Emmetsburg, and helped begin that town’s historical society.
Neal was preceded in death by his parents and siblings and their spouses: sister Mary (Gil) Zhe, brother James (Rosemary) MacLachlan, and brother William (Lorna) MacLachlan, and brother-in-law Gary (Susan) Tollers, and in-laws Albert and Elisabeth Fleischfresser. He is survived by his wife Janet, daughter Margery (Craig) Bertram of Wyoming, Minn. and son Matthew MacLachlan of Denver Colo. He is also survived by four grandchildren: Emily Bertram of Denver, Colo., Megan Bertram of Denver, Timothy (Emily) Bertram of Austin, Texas and Jacob Bertram of Wyoming, Minn., and two step-grandchildren Tommy and Leslie Ferebee of Torrance, Calif. He is also blessed to have two great-grandchildren; Claire and Olivia Bertram of Austin, Texas. He is survived by sisters-in-law Karen Hogan and Susan Tollers and brother-in-law Peter Hogan and many nieces and nephews.
Memorial service will be held on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, at 11 AM at Lord of the Lakes Lutheran Church, 25402 Itasca Avenue, Forest Lake MN 55025. Visitation will be the hour before. A lunch will be served following the service. A private family interment will occur at a later date.
