Otto Wedul

Otto Edward Wedul was born December 19, 1928 to Arnt and Beret Wedul, the oldest of five boys. At his Confirmation in Thief River Falls, MN, Otto felt a call to become a pastor and chose studies in that pursuit. Otto graduated from St. Olaf College in 1951 (chosen because it was the most Norwegian of all the ELC colleges) and Luther Seminary in 1955. Churches he served included Zumbro Lutheran, Rochester, MN for internship; Lutheran Congregations in Tofte and Luther on the North Shore of Lake Superior in MN; First Lutheran Church, Albert Lea, MN; Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Santa Rosa, CA, where Bethlehem Tower and relocation facilities were planned and built; Highland Avenue Lutheran, San Bernardino, CA, where, in addition to being pastor, he was principal of the K-6 school; American Lutheran Church, Sun City, AZ, where he was Associate Pastor for out-reach. His call specified retirement at age 70, but after that he spent eight years as part-time, and later full-time, pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Sun City. Otto officially retired in 2006 after 55 years in ministry. He was married for 58 years to his wife Audrey (Fossum), and was the father of Margaret (Greta) Wedul Hopkins and Andrew (Drew) Wedul (deceased since 2006). With diligence and delightful sense of humor, he gained respect and love from congregants, townspeople, and a host of friends along the way. Otto will be remembered for the service that he provided to Sons of Norway, the Rotary Club, and the Scandinavian Club, along with his love and talent for gardening. He is survived by his loving wife Audrey of Youngtown, AZ, Greta Hopkins of Crescent City, CA, and granddaughter Julia Fanger of Brooklyn, NY. Otto’s memorial service will take place at 11:30 AM on Saturday, January 12th at American Lutheran Church at 17200 N. Del Webb Blvd. in Sun City, AZ.