Sieck still pastoring in a pinch at 97

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The Rev. Walter Sieck of Perry, right, attended a retired clergy and spouse meeting in Des Moines Tuesday. Doug Wood of Perry accompanied Sieck to the meeting. Photo courtesy Sara Carlson, Iowa Conference of the United Methodist Church

The Rev. Walter Sieck of Perry attended a retired clergy and spouse gathering at New Hope United Methodist Church in Des Moines Tuesday.

Sieck, 97, began his ministry in 1937 as a 19-year-old college student when he was asked to pastor a church by the area district superintendent. He first served as a pastor with the Methodist Episcopal Church.

The Methodist Church formed in 1939 with the merger of the Methodist Episcopal Church, the Methodist Protestant Church and the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and Sieck was a Methodist Church pastor.

The United Methodist Church formed in 1968 when the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church combined.

Sieck served several different churches while in college, during his seminary training and after graduation from seminary. He graduated from seminary in 1946.

Sieck retired to Perry from full-time ministry in 1983. He served as a part-time visitation pastor for the Perry First United Methodist Church from 1984 to 1998.

Today he still can be seen riding his scooter across town and visiting people in an unofficial capacity. Sieck is actively involved in area events, including his church and the Perry Kiwanis Club.

He recently filled in at the pulpit of the Perry First United Methodist Church Sept. 27 when an emergency came up during the evening service, showing that a minister never quits serving.

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