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- Rev. Dr. A.W. Moldenhauer, age 93 of North Tonawanda, was taken to his eternal home on September 23, 2021, by the Lord Jesus he served so faithfully and passionately for more than 65 years. Born in Detroit, MI on Oct. 21, 1927 to the late Charles and Rose Moldenhauer, he has rejoicingly, been reunitedin heaven with Lois, his beloved wife and ministry partner of nearly 60 years.
Moldenhauer was Pastor of St. Matthew Lutheran Church in North Tonawanda for 54 years. The congregational membership grew from about 500 in 1955, when he began his ministry there, to more than 2,000, leading to the construction of a new church facility in 1974. That included a Christian Day School, which Rev. Moldenhauer helped to reopen in 1957, after it had been closed for more than 40 years. He had a passion for teaching, including Lutheran instructional classes, and as recently as 2019, Bible classes. “I love teaching and preaching,” he said in a 2003 Buffalo News story. “That’s my job: to teach and influence my flock. This is my calling.”
He served as chaplain of the North Tonawanda Police Benevolent Association for 33 years, chaplain of the North Tonawanda Professional Fire Fighters organization for 45 years and chaplain of the Civil Defense Emergency Management Association.
He was also active in the community in other areas: as chairman of the City Youth Board, vice chairman of the NT Narcotics Council, member of the DeGraff Memorial Hospital Board, member of the NT Dive Rescue Team, charter member of the Western Regional Critical Stress Debriefing Team, and spearheaded the annual NT Police and Fire departments’ Christmas food and clothing drive for needy families.
In 1974, Rev. Moldenhauer was named “Citizen of the Year” by the Chamber of Commerce of the Tonawandas. In 1992, he was honored with the “Servant of Christ Award” by Concordia College of Bronxville, NY, and in 1994, he was presented with an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Concordia Seminary, in St. Louis, MO, where he graduated from in 1953. He began his ministry that year at two mission churches in northern Ontario.
Rev. Moldenhauer lived to serve God and others, and next to his love for Jesus came his endearing love for his family. He is survived by children Philip (Lisa) Moldenhauer of Lansing, MI, Rev. Paul Moldenhauer (Corleen) Moldenhauer of Walled Lake, MI, Deborah (Thomas) Hromowyk of North Tonawanda, and Miriam (Gary) Moldenhauer-Majewski of Tonawanda; nine grandchildren: Amy, Joshua, Andrew, Wesley, Benjamin, Andrea, Justin, David, and Michael; and 20 great grandchildren. Also surviving are his brother Robert Moldenhauer of Westland, MI, and sisters Irma Cole of Chandler, AZ, and Laura Pilla of Redford, MI.
Visitation will be at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 875 Eggert Drive, North Tonawanda, NY on Thursday, September 30th from 1-4 and 6-8pm; and then Friday, October 1st from 10:30-12 Noon with the funeral service immediately following at 12:30pm. The funeral will be live streamed for those unable to attend, see frettholdfuneralhome.com for online condolences and streaming information.
Memorial contributions in honor of Rev. Dr. Moldenhauer (and in lieu of flowers) may be made to: St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 875 Eggert Drive, N. Ton. NY 14120 or NT Professional Firefighers Benevolent, 495 Zimmerman St. NT, or NT Police Benevolent, 216 Payne Ave. NT
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1927 - 2021 (93 years)