Rev. Dr. James Arthur Siefkes

• 

Siefkes, Rev. Dr. James Arthur The Rev. Dr. James Arthur Siefkes passed away peacefully in his sleep on Feb. 20, 2016. Jim was born March 29, 1929 in Clarksville IA, son of Caroline (Schmadeke) and the Dr. Rev. Weert A. Siefkes. He is preceded in death by his parents; infant son, David; sister Ruth Kuethe; brother Dr. Paul D. Siefkes; sister Betty Karnavas. He is survived by his wife, Sally (Millikan), and his 3 children: Timothy and his wife Darci of Forest Lake MN; Alison Siefkes of Houston TX; Ted and his wife Lisa of Burnsville MN; and his grandchildren: Andrew, Caitlin and her husband Jason, Josh, Emily, Rob, Leah and Alyse; and his great-grandson Grayson. He was a graduate of Trinity University (San Antonio TX). He earned the Master of Divinity degree and later was awarded the honorary Doctor of Divinty degree at Wartburg Seminary (Dubuque IA). He served pastor- ates at First Lutheran Church (Galveston TX) and St. Paul Lutheran Church (Anamosa IA). In 1961 he began a career on the national staff of the American Lutheran Church. He served as Regional Director of Stewardship in the South-Central and Western regions, and became the founder and director of the ALC's Dept of Congregational Social Concerns, and later the director of the Mission Discovery Program of the ELCA. He retired in 1991. He was instrumental in the founding of the Program in Human Sexuality at the U of M Medical School; served as adjunct staff to the first task force on human sexuality of the ELCA; had founding developmental roles with the church's domestic hunger ministries; Lutherans Concerned North America; Lutheran Peace Fellowship; Lutheran Selective Service Information; Coalition of Black Members; prison, and a variety of other ministries. He served on the National Interreligious Service Board for Conscientious Objectors; on the board of directors of Sex Information Education Council in the U.S. (SIECUS). He produced the first denominational publications in regard to HIV/AIDS education for churches. At one point in his ministry, he orchestrated as many as 40 probing "edge of the church" ministries across the denomination. Memorial service will be held Friday Feb. 26, 2016 at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, 4801 France Ave So, Mpls, MN. Visitation 4-5pm, Service at 5pm with a reception and light meal afterward. Memorials in lieu of flowers may be sent to the Minnesota AIDS Project and the American Alzheimer's Association. As Gadfly Jim would say, "Keep on keepin' on!" Washburn-McReavy - Edina

Published on February 24, 2016