Pastor Donald George Little

Pastor Donald George Little, age 79, of Morganton, North Carolina, went to be with his Savior on the morning of Saturday, August 30, 2025.

He was born in Catawba County on May 4, 1946 to the late Herman Little and Mary Bass Little Price. He was also preceded in death by his step-father, Clarence Price, and his siblings, James Little and Elaine Little Sain.

Pastor Don was baptized on his fifth birthday and was confirmed in March of 1959. He graduated from Concordia University and then entered Concordia Theological Seminary (Springfield) where he graduated in 1973 with a Master of Divinity degree. He served as Vicar at St. Paul Lutheran Church in New Orleans (1971-1972) before his first call as Pastor to Hope Lutheran Church in Plant City, Florida (1973-1995). He went on to serve as Pastor at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Dallas, Texas (1995-2004) and Atonement Lutheran Church in Metairie, Louisiana (2004-2008) where he retired. Pastor Don also served Part-Time at Zion Lutheran Church in Abilene, Texas, and as a Vacancy Pastor at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Cisco, Texas and Grace Lutheran Church in Brownwood, Texas. He later served at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Marion, North Carolina. He enjoyed traveling and visiting his children and grandchildren. In whatever community God led him to, Pastor Don was always faithful in his service to his Lord and the local church.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 56 years, Karen Kiessling Little; three children, Jennifer Johnson (Bill), Sheri Bansemer (Andrew), and Jon Klein (Bek); nine grandchildren, Reagan Bower (Brandon), Rhodes Johnson, Rhys Johnson, Wills Johnson, Micah Bansemer, Nathan Bansemer, Aaron Klein, Ben Klein, and River Klein; two great-grandchildren, Brock Bower and Brexten Bower; one niece, Brandee Wallinger; two nephews, Scott Little and Rodney Sain; and three half-siblings.

He will be interred surrounded by family at Murphy’s Chapel Cemetery. Your presence is requested at the memorial service that will be held on Saturday, September 6, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, 241 W. Court Street, Marion, NC 28752 with a lunch reception to follow. The service will be livestreamed on the Facebook page of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church of Marion, North Carolina.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, 241 W. Court Street, Marion, NC 28752.