Reverend Doctorgeorge Bruening

The Reverend Doctor George Bruening, 93, was called home on Monday, July 20, 2009, to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the same Lord he so faithfully served for over 67 years as a Lutheran Pastor.

He was born to George F. and Milda (Schmuhl) Bruening on June 12, 1916 in Elgin, IL.

After graduation from St. John's Lutheran School, Elgin, IL in 1930, and Concordia College, Milwaukee, WI, George entered Concordia Lutheran Seminary in 1937 and graduated in 1941 with an M.A. in History. Following his studies, Rev. Bruening organized Lutheran churches in Albany, GA, Tallahassee, FL and Panama City, FL, and was ordained into the Holy Ministry in 1942 in Crowley, LA. During the mid 1940s, he served as Chaplain and translator to German war prisoners in Louisiana, as well as Chaplain at the only federal leprosy colony in the U.S.

From 1948 through 1978, Rev. Bruening served as Pastor to Lutheran congregations in Augusta, KS, Salt Lake City, UT, and Larned, KS, while leading building programs, evangelism efforts and numerous civic and community organizations. During his pastorate in Kansas, he served as Chaplain to the Larned State Hospital for 15 years and earned his degree in Clinical Pastoral Education (for chaplaincy) in 1966. He also assisted the Kansas District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod in many capacities, including as editor of the "Lutheran Witness" for 13 years and District Archivist (historian) for 16 years.

In 1978, Rev. Bruening was elected President of the Kansas District-LCMS, serving in Topeka for eight years. His Doctor of Divinity degree was conferred by Bethany College, Lindsborg, KS, in June 1982.

After retiring as District President, Rev. Bruening served as assistant Pastor at Faith Lutheran Church until 1996 and as a Chaplain at Menninger State Hospital in Topeka. He taught adult bible study classes, served as visitation Pastor to local hospitals and home bound parishioners and led monthly worships services at Thornton Place, his home since 2002.

Hobbies and past times for Rev. Bruening included fishing, hunting, reading, feeding his birds, and visiting with friends and colleagues. He was also proud of his journeyman plumber's license and ham radio permit.

Rev. Bruening is survived by one daughter, Delores (Bruening) McKinney and her husband, Richard, of Henderson, NV; one sister, Lucile Hill of Elgin, IL, and several nieces and cousins. He was preceded in death by his wife of nearly 60 years, Lourine (Imbusch) Bruening in 2002, and an infant daughter, Cheryl in 1946, as well as a brother, John, and sister, Doris, both of Elgin, IL.


Funeral services will be held at Faith Lutheran Church, 1716 Gage Blvd, Topeka, at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 24, 2009, with interment at Mount Hope Cemetery. Memorials may be designated for Faith Lutheran Church, 1716 Gage Blvd, Topeka, KS 66604, Topeka Lutheran School, 701 Roosevelt Street Topeka, KS 66606 or the Concordia Historical Institute of St. Louis, MO, 804 Seminary Pl, St. Louis, MO 63105. Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel is in charge of funeral arrangements. Rev. Bruening will lie in state after 3:00 p.m., with a visitation from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 23, 2009 at Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel.