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Our Rock and our Spiritual Leader.
Richard, Allison, and Baby Katherine Sutter
April 11, 2020 | Friend
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Obituary
MISSION VIEJO, Calif. (AP) - The Rev. Michael Wenning, who was Ronald and Nancy Reagan's longtime pastor at Los Angeles' Bel Air Presbyterian Church and presided over the 40th president's moving sunset burial, has died. He was 75.
Wenning died from leukemia and kidney failure Tuesday at his Mission Viejo home, his wife, Freda, said.
The Reagans had attended Bel Air Presbyterian in the Santa Monica Mountains for decades, dating back to when Reagan was governor of California.
Wenning, who was pastor of the 2,500-member church from 1995 to 2001, regularly visited Reagan's home and Century City office when the Alzheimer's disease-stricken former president stopped appearing in public.
Reagan was 93 when he died on June 5, 2004.
It was Wenning who conducted the nationally televised hilltop burial service for the former president at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley. And it was Wenning who comforted the anguished for mer first lady.
"Everyone wanted to put their arms around Nancy, and here was a man holding her on behalf of the nation and just comforting her," Freda Wenning told The Orange County Register. "He was like that. He was very comforting. That sort of captures who he was."
Nancy Reagan, who turns 90 on July 6, expressed her sorrow in a statement Wednesday.
"I was very sorry to learn today of the death of Rev. Michael Wenning," she said. "Bel Air Presbyterian Church was always an important part of our lives, and I was grateful to Michael, as a former pastor, for contributing to Ronnie's final services."
A native of South Africa, Wenning (pronounced VEN'-eeng) was born in Capetown on July 5, 1935. He moved to the United States and received a master's of divinity at Texas Christian University and a master's in psychology and counseling at New York University.
He returned to South Africa and became pastor of a Presbyterian church in Durban in 1969. Wenn ing and his family returned to the United States in 1977 so he could lead a Presbyterian church in Pittsburgh. He then moved to Southern California and was pastor at Geneva Presbyterian Church in Laguna Hills from 1986 to 1995.
Geneva Presbyterian pastor Rod Kingston says Wenning will be eulogized during a public memorial service at the 850-seat church Sunday afternoon. Wenning's body was cremated.
Besides his wife, Wenning is survived by two daughters: Michelle Blankenship, of Ann Arbor, Mich., and Andrea Bull, of Fresno.
Copyright © 2011 The Associated Press
Guest Book
Dear Freda,
Among all these other memories of Mike, it seems appropriate that at least one should be from the time of his internship at First Christian Church, Carrollton, TX. I have lots of memories of both of y'all, your little house on Wasina in Farmers Branch, Mike playing the piano in the living room, your mother "Jenny" who my mother (Esther Swift) dearly loved, Mike's student teaching days in my Jr. High English class (he was a tough but merciful grader!). When he stood with...
Bob Swift
March 06, 2016 | Flower Mound, TX
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Dear Freda. I was privelaged to have been in Michaels final Confirmation Class in Durban 1977. You and Michael were instrumental in my Christian growth and music. God Bless you and the "girls". The Rev was a God=driven man who inspired many young Christians
Des Meyer
October 17, 2013 | Cape Town
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...amazing how we are guided...Andrea, Mama Wenning, Sissy...you couldn't have asked for a better man. Thank you for sharing him with me...it's been over 20 years and I can still hear his laugh! (I know, "cheeky", right?!) May your hearts be light and filled with joy that He lived such a wonderful life and delighted in you! Love, Nate (Digi)
Nate Bayless
August 25, 2011 | Leawood, KS
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Dear Freda:
We are saddened from the news we read in our Aiken, SC newspaper about Michael. Please accept our sincere sympathy. He has always had a place in our hearts and were so happy we got to know you and Michael when we lived in Pittsburgh. We moved to Aiken in 1988, and didn't know you had moved to Florida.
Lois & Dick Shank
July 12, 2011
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Having moved from Laguna Hills to the midwest, it was several years since we had been to Geneva. Then listening to the funeral of Ronald Reagan, I heard that familiar voice turning to see Dr. Wenning at Mrs. Reagans side. That was what he did best. He nurtured. I will wait for the opportunity to see him again and hear his nurturing voice. Praise be to Michael for all you did, rest in peace.
R. Schmidt
July 10, 2011 | Raleigh, NC
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Dear Freda, Michael was a prince of a man. God shone through him and touched our lives every time we met him. How you will miss him.I had a long chat to Hetty this morning in which she shared the details of his very special home-call with you beside him. May God bless and comfort you. Come to SA soon. Love and prayers,Leigh and Irene Robinson
July 09, 2011
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My Dearest Uncle Mike,
I was so glad we had the time together in Florida, even though it was so short. I couldn't bear hearing about the pain you were going through just to endure another day. But I know now that you are free of pain and that you are in the presence of our Lord, what a joy that must be for you having served Him for so long. I cant wait to to see the jewels in your crown, you certainly deserve them.
I feel for Aunty Fifi, you seldom see people in love like you two...
Mark Wenning
July 06, 2011 | Durban
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One day a lanky teenager dressed in a blazer and grey slacks showed up at the youth group of my father's church in Durban, South Africa. He introduced himself as Michael Wenning. Before long he showed an interest in one of my friends, Freda Jennings, and I later stood with them as bridesmaid while my father performed their marriage ceremony.
Our contact over the years was intermittent, but the bond that formed in those early days never broke. Each opportunity to get together was...
Joy Wooderson
July 06, 2011 | O'Fallon, MO
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