Rev. Fr. Arthur Lueckenotto

Rev. Fr. Arthur Lueckenotto M.S, of St. Louis passed away Saturday, October 29, 2016, at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, Mo., after sixty years of religious life. He was born December 22, 1935, the son of the late Henry and Agnes (Groner) Lueckenotto in Meta, Mo., the fifth of twelve children. Fr. Art attended La Salette Seminary in Jefferson City from1949 to 1953, followed by 9 more years of studies in New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rome, Italy . Fr. Art made his Profession as a La Salette Missionary on July 2, 1956, and was ordained to the priesthood on August 15, 1963 at the La Salette Chapel in Jefferson City, Mo.. After a year of preparation, Fr. Art arrived in Madagascar in October, 1964, where he spent the next 52 years ministering as a missionary in the Morondava diocese. Zealous in missionary work, he ministered in 7 different mission districts to over 50 churches. One of his first ministries was the difficult task of organizing, opening and teaching at the diocesan farm school in the isolated village of Betomba. Having grown up on the family farm in Meta, he was highly qualified for this task. Everywhere he ministered he also built churches, rectories, schools, convents and dispensaries for the local population. Quoting Fr. Art... "Hard work has never been a burden for me and with the added motivation that working for God and the spread of His Kingdom throughout the world brings with it, fills me with an immense satisfaction and the consolation of knowing that everything, be it ever so small, will be written in the 'book of life'". He cherished being a part of the La Salette community. Each day spent in the missions was challenging but extremely rewarding and he was hopeful of returning to "his people" in Madagascar. He loved sports and wouldn't miss watching a Cardinal's game when in the states as well as keeping up with their progress while in Madagascar. He loved spending time with family and enjoying the 'good food' when returning home for vacations which were few until recent years. Survivors include eight siblings, Florentine Hagenhoff, Meta, Imogene Volmert, St. Thomas, Edmund Lueckenotto (Arlene), Jefferson City, Dorothy Buechter, Iberia, Larry Lueckenotto (Katie), Meta, Bob Lueckenotto, Jeffferson City, Marie Lueckenotto, Meta, Norine Brune (Jim), Blue Springs, Millie Wieberg (Bill), St. Thomas; brothers-in-law Hugo Bisges, Westphalia and Ed (Jr.) Schroeder, Babbtown and numerous nephews and nieces. Fr. Art was preceeded in death by his parents, Henry & Agnes (Groner) Lueckenotto; two sisters, Rose Bisges and Jerline (Jeri) Schroeder; three brothers-in-law, Fred Hagenhoff, Herbert Volmert and Arthur (Ed) Buechter; two nephews Emil Buechter and Greg Brune. Visitation will be on Thursday, November 3, 2016 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00p.m. with a Prayer service at 3:30 p.m. at the St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Meta. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m., Friday, November 4, 2016 at the St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Meta with burial in Resurrection Cemetery in St. Louis. Memorial contributions are suggested to the LaSalette Mission Center, 4650 South Broadway, St. Louis, Mo. 63111 Arrangements are under the direction of the J.B. Smith Mortuary in Maplewood, MO www.jaybsmith.com

Rev. Fr. Arthur Lueckenotto

December 22, 1935 - October 29, 2016