A lifelong St. Louisan, he was baptized at St. Roch Parish. The son of Robert E. and Anne (O'Mara) Sudekum, he was orphaned at age 8 and raised by his aunt, Nell O'Mara. Following in the footsteps of his uncle, Rev. Joseph O'Mara, he attended Cardinal Glennon Kenrick Seminary and was ordained to the priesthood on March 18, 1961.

His first assignment following his ordination was as associate pastor at St. Kevin Parish in St. Ann, where he served until 1965. During that time he also served at Mercy High School. He was named religion teacher and guidance counselor at St. Thomas Aquinas High School, serving there until 1976.

During that period he was named associate pastor at St. Aloysius Parish in Spanish Lake and then at Good Shepherd Parish in Ferguson. In 1972, he was elected to a three-year term on the Archdiocesan Council of Priests.

In 1976, he became director of special projects for the archdiocesan Catholic Education Office, and while serving there was named associate pastor at St. Margaret of Scotland Parish in St. Louis. In 1978, he became resident chaplain at St. Vincent's Home for Children in Normandy.

Msgr. Sudekum was appointed editor of the St. Louis Review, the weekly newspaper of the Archdiocese of St. Louis in 1981, a position he held until 1994. He also served as business manager for the Review and as an archdiocesan spokesman to the media. Msgr. Sudekum was an archdiocesan consultant and president of the Council of Priests. He was also press secretary to the U.S. Bishops Delegation during the 1987 World Synod of Bishops and served on the board of the Catholic Press Association.

Msgr. Sudekum's final assignment was at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in University City, serving there from 1994 until his retirement in 2011. He most recently resided at St. Agnes Home in Kirkwood, where he received loving care. We also thank the staff at Mercy Hospital and Westchester House.

He will be remembered as a true scholar and counselor by all who knew him and will be missed by many, especially his large extended family, the Sudekum, O'Mara, Schulz, Edwards and Lane family. If desired, donations may be made to Catholic Charities or St. Patrick's Center. A private Funeral Mass will be held on December 18 with a Memorial Mass to follow post COVID-19 restrictions.

A SERVICE OF

THE LUPTON CHAPEL

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Published by St. Louis Post-Dispatch on Dec. 16, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Edward Sudekum

11 Entries

Rich & joan

December 11, 2022

Msgr Sudekum had a marvelous sense of humor. He loved Miss Piggy . He had many pieces of memorabilia . He loved classical music. he had the ability to whistle this beautiful music. He had a strong Faith & was a true intellectual. May you be filled with many beautiful memories that you shared with him . Blessings to all

Rich & joan Kofron

March 17, 2021

We were soooo sorry to her of Msgr. Sudekum's passing. I used to stop in @ St. Agnes and visit him with a Rose. Always enjoyed our chats. Please accept our sympathy. Enjoyed his sense of humor. Blessings to all of you.

Steven Sudekum

December 29, 2020

Steven Sudekum

December 29, 2020

Steven Sudekum

December 29, 2020

I feel like his students and parishioners knew him best, but what a blessing he was at the occasional family gatherings, witty, insightful, interesting, and interested in you. He knew how to handle himself.
With deep respect and admiration,

John & Eileen (McCaffrey) Hedrick

December 26, 2020

We thank Father for serving us, while teaching at Mercy High School 64´. May God grant Father Sudekum His grace, mercy, love, and peace.

James Kemp

December 21, 2020

What a blessing to have Msgr. Sudekum as our Pastor at OLOL in U City, for 17 years. He was a font of knowledge, a true Pastor, and a great preacher.

What a talent! He told me that as a young man he worried that he would not be deemed qualified to be accepted into the Kenrick Seminary!

Some believe 'the devil is in the details." But Msgr. S. claimed "that God is in the details." I think he was right, of course.

Christina (Lancaster) Shockley

December 19, 2020

I attended St. Kevin School in St. Ann during the time that Msgr. Sudekum was Associate Pastor. The two of us got along so well. He had a dry sense of humor but was kind and caring to his parishioners. I remember laughing with him and how much my dad and mom liked him. He was by far my favorite priest who I'll never forget and I'm very sad at his passing. My prayers of go out to his family. May he rest in the loving arms of Jesus.

Max Kaiser, Jr.

December 17, 2020

My prayerful sympathy to the Sudekum Family on Msgr Ed Sudekum's passing! A true dedicated Catholic newspaper editor (of the St Louis Review) and media consultant, he will be remembered by media professionals of all faiths for his diligence on getting the message right! Rest in Peace, Msgr Sudekum! You will be missed.

Nick Ambrose

December 17, 2020

What a wonderful person he is. I totally enjoyed his classes at Aquinas. We stayed friends throughout the years. I will miss him, his jokes and wisdom. Heaven has gained a Saint. Job well done true and faithful servant.

Peggy Stevens

December 16, 2020

Fr Ed Sudekum was our pastor at OLOL for many years. My sister and I liked him very much. He was very helpful to me and attentive during my various sisters illnesses. Offering wise words and positive thoughts. He knew all the parishioner's by name. He will always be missed in our family. God's speed Father Sudekum. You deserve an eternal rest.

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