Rev. Dr. George H. Muedeking

Rev. Dr. George H. Muedeking, son of the Rev. George F. and Rosalie C. (Brodt) Muedeking, was born August 19, 1915, in Arcadia, WI and died on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2014 in Albuquerque, NM. His father baptized, confirmed and ordained him into the ministry of the American Lutheran Church. After his early education in Arcadia, he received a B.A. degree from Capital University (1936), an M.A. from Indiana University (1938), a M.Div. from Trinity Theological Seminary (1941), and his Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley (1961). Dr. Muedeking received God’s call to become a Pastor while at Indiana University. This call formed the foundation of his life and service and guided him throughout his days on earth. He met Harriet (Rollwagen) Muedeking in St. Paul, MN and they married in 1941. They then moved to California where Dr. Muedeking founded two Lutheran churches, Long Beach (1941) and La Habra (1950), and served as Pastor of First Lutheran Church, Fullerton (1947-51) and Christ Lutheran in El Cerrito (1951-59). From 1956 to 1965 he taught theology at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley, in 1965 becoming a full professor. In 1965, George and Harriet moved to Minneapolis, MN where he was appointed editor of The Lutheran Standard, the official publication of the American Lutheran Church. He remained in this position until his retirement in 1980. George and Harriet retired to Napa, CA where Dr. Muedeking remained active in teaching, writing, and editing, also serving as interim pastor at several churches. During his career he published articles and books in the areas of Christian ethics, Lutheran theology, pastoral counseling and other topics. He was a lecturer and guest professor at several universities and seminaries including Indiana University, California Lutheran University, and Pacific Lutheran University. From 1981-82 he taught at the Lutheran Teachers College and Seminary in Adelaide, Australia. He enjoyed traveling and visiting Lutheran missions and schools around the world, having visited 122 counties in his lifetime. After Harriet’s death in 2006, he moved to La Vida Llena Retirement Community in Albuquerque, NM. He is survived by his daughter, Miriam Heyer and her husband W. Ronald Heyer of Arlington, VA; son, George D. Muedeking and his wife Anne Sigler of Albuquerque, NM; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, April 24, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, 10000 Spain Rd. NE, with visitation one hour prior. FRENCH - Wyoming 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE 505-823-9400

Rev. Dr. George H. Muedeking

August 19, 1915 - April 20, 2014