Christ Lutheran Church
Cleveland, Ohio
June 9, 2026
by: Rev. Dean Kavouras
Rite Of Christian Burial
For Louise Fyler
Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Matthew 6:10
Beloved in Christ this is not the first time our sister Louise has died…
No we are not referring to “near death experiences” and the like. But to Blessed Baptism of which Saint Paul says: “Do you not know that we who have been baptized into Christ have been baptized into his death …”
He then continues, “We were entombed therefore with him, so that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” (Rom. 6:3ff)
Louise walked “in newness of life” for 90 years and now she rests with her Savior, Jesus. That is why while we grieve, we do not grieve as those who have no hope. (1 Thes. 4:13ff)
But that is not the end of what the Bible has to say about Holy Baptism. Indeed Saint Paul says, “I die daily.”
“I die daily.” (1 Cor. 15:31)
Yes, the children of God die daily, but they are raised just as often to “newness of life” by “the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead.” (Rom. 8:11)
Yes, our dear sister in Christ died daily. How so? Because of what baptism indicates. “It indicates that the Old Adam in us should by daily contrition and repentance be drowned and die with all sins and evil desires, and that a new man should daily emerge and arise to live before God in righteousness and purity forever.” (SC)
But now Louise has died for the final time. As death no longer has dominion over our Lord, death no longer has dominion over Louise, or over any who “believe and are baptized.” (Mark 16:15)
By baptismal and Eucharistic union with her Lord she has conquered every foe. Not by her own strength – formidable as it was. Not by her own merit or worthiness good as she was. But by the mercy of God, which she received by faith in the cross of our LORD Jesus Christ. Yes, “in Christ” she has now conquered all that a person must conquer: sin, death and the devil.
Now being that she was a Christian soldier, a member of the “church militant” she did battle every day with the same unholy trinity that we all do. With sin, death and devil. Every Christian does. Every Christian must. And if anyone thinks differently hear Saint Paul’s inspired advice,
“Let him that standeth take heed, let he fall.” (1 Cor. 10:12)
Now when it comes to doing spiritual warfare against the “principalities and powers, and against spiritual wickedness in high places,” you never met a more ferocious warrior. She did not only do battle, but she did it with nerve and verve rarely seen. She did it with a New York accent … which some might say scares the devil more than any other.
Oi what a mouth once she got going! Neither the devil, nor the dead culture, nor the sinful flesh were safe when Louise Boescher-Hakes-Fyler donned the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, and took up the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God, and shod her feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace.” (Eph. 6:12 ff)
Her “the Battle Hymn of the Republic” if you will was taken from the hymn: Jesus Priceless Treasure as follows:
“Satan, I defy thee;
Death, I now decry thee;
Fear, I bid thee cease.
World, thou shalt not harm me
Nor thy threats alarm me
While I sing of peace.”
God’s great power
guards every hour.
Earth and all its depths adore him,
silent bow before him.”
Now all this said we don’t want to sing the praises of Louise Fyler! She would be most put out!
She gave all glory, laud and honor to her Redeemer King – which holy faith she learned from her household growing up. From receiving a truly Christian education. From sitting under an inspired pastor in her youth. From entering Divine Liturgy, which is Holy Communion, every Lord’s Day.
These are the “good and perfect gifts that come from above from the Father of lights, with whom there is on variation of shadow due to change.” (James 1:17)
Hear that again!
No variation because God is faithful to his Creation always! To Louise, and faithful to you.
Every day of her life, and especially the Lord’s Day she was acutely aware of her sins. But she did not remain silent; instead she freely confessed them in the church’s confessional prayer, and humbly believed and received Holy Absolution “from the pastor as if from Christ himself.” (SC)
All that said let us get to the theme of her life. The core of her existence which she learned from the lips of Jesus himself:
Thy will be done!
Today the church of Jesus Christ asserts to “all who have ears to hear” that THIS is the greatest statement of faith than any human being can make. And at the same time, the most powerful of all prayers. Thy will be done.
This was Louise’s theme. Her modus operandi. Her core belief through a long life marked days of gladness, and days of bitterest sorrows. Her journey was not an easy one. We need not go into detail here but only to say that: those who knew her well will attest to the same – they who also suffered thorny sorrows with her.
But come what may her prayer was always the same: Thy will be done. And just in case we have not already said it: This is the greatest statement of holy Christian faith that any person can make, and the most powerful prayer there is. Just as there is no such thing as January 32, there is nothing beyond the good and gracious will of God come what may!
Thy will be done!
By this chief of all prayers you will live a glad life in this world. Not free of sorrow, loss or pain. But quiet. Humble. Confident. And by this prayer you will survive and thrive through every storm. This is the Christian faith.
And thus, according to God’s will, Louise had the blessing of two wonderful marriages. Five devoted children. Nine grandchildren and many greats. When she breathed her last a few earth days ago her permanent state of joy began immediately. “This day you will be with me in Paradise,” and so she is!
She was first united face to face with the LORD of Glory who wiped away every tear from her eye – never to be remembered again. But she was also reunited with her daughter Martha and granddaughter Rebecca who preceded her into the “eternal habitations.” (Luke 16)
Her dear husband of 57 years, our fellow pastor, George was another blessing. He always loved her and cared for her, and for their children. He who shares the same theme that his dear wife holds: Thy will be done. In these last two years in every visit the pastor heard this oft-repeated theme: Thy will be done.
It is a prayer that has the power to stabilize and revitalize all who believe it and pray it. To lift you up as on the wings of eagles, and there is nothing better than that.
Now … though we are bereaved, we too can rest assured that the “good and gracious will of God” is being done as we give thanks to God for her.
As we bless her earthly remains with the Word of God and “which is the prayer of the saints.” And lastly when she is returned to the dust from which she came. From which our Lord Jesus Christ will himself, “Transform her mortal body to be like his glorious body …. using the power by which he is able to subdue all things to himself.” (Phil 3:21)
This is the good and gracious will of God.
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Amen