On September 14, 2026, Reverend Neal Fergus MacLachlan was transferred to his home in heaven to be with our savior Jesus. He was born on October 12, 1938, in Augusta WI, 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 WI, 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 IL. He spent his year of vicarage at St. Trinity Lutheran Church, Pontiac MI. 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 WI. They were blessed with two children: Margery Bertram (Craig) of Wyoming MN and Matthew MacLachlan of Denver CO.
Following ordination, he served churches in Emmetsburg IA, Missouri Valley IA, Brainerd MN, and Boulder CO. 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 WI 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 WI, the town of his birth. He also frequently performed the services at Trinity Lutheran Church in Glidden WI. In 2022, Neal and Jan moved into a senior living facility in Lindstrom MN, 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 Iowa, 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 MN and son Matthew MacLachlan of Denver CO. He is also survived by four grandchildren: Emily Bertram of Denver CO, Megan Bertram of Denver CO, Timothy (Emily) Bertram of Austin TX and Jacob Bertram of Wyoming MN, and two step grandchildren Tommy and Leslie Ferebee of Torrance CA. He is also blessed to have two great grandchildren; Claire and Olivia Bertram of Austin TX. 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, September 24, 2026 at 11:00 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.
