Strandjord, Rev. Arne E. 1926-2000

STRANDJORD, LANGELAND, OFSTEDAL, DUNKIN, FROST, DALENBERG, BALDWIN

Posted By: Connie Ellis (email)
Date: 10/14/2010 at 19:34:31

STRANDJORD, ARNE EUGENE

Rev. Arne Eugene Strandjord, 74, died Monday, November 27, 2000 in Mesa, Arizona. Arne was born January 11, 1926 in Park River, North Dakota to Rev. Selmer and Eunice (Langeland) Strandjord, the youngest of four children. He grew up in St. Olaf, Iowa. As a young boy, Arne loved accompanying his father as he traveled to conduct services throughout his parish. He graduated from the Monona, Iowa High School in 1944. Arne served in the US Navy on a submarine tender in the Pacific during World War II. He graduated from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa in 1950 and from Luther Theological Seminary in 1953.

Arne was ordained as a minister in the Evangelical Lutheran Church on June 7, 1953. He served as minister to First Lutheran Church in Mt. Vernon, Washington from 1953-1959; Immanuel Lutheran Church in Seattle, Washington from 1959-1971; First Lutheran Church in Astoria, Oregon from 1971 to 1979 and Messiah Lutheran Church in Vancouver, Washington from 1979 until his retirement in 1988. After his retirement, Pastor Arne, continuing to love ministry, served as interim pastor for several congregations in Washington and Oregon.

Arne married Eunice Ofstedal on September 1, 1951. They were blessed with five children and shared their home with several foster children. Eunice preceded Arne in death in 1988. Arne married Carla Dunkin on June 25, 1989. In addition to his wife, Arne was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Nels and Rolf and his sister Eunice.

He is survived by his wife Carla of Hammond, Oregon; his children Jonathon Strandjord (wife Jeanette) of Spring Green, Wisconsin; Peter Strandjord (wife Jenifer) of Dexter, Oregon; Kari Frost (husband Dave) of Des Moines, Washington, Kristi Dalenberg (husband Doug) of Missoula, Montana, and Joseph Strandjord (wife Karina) of Clatskanie, Oregon; his step-children Ryan Dunkin (wife Jessie) of Portland, Oregon and Kristin Baldwin (husband Larry) of Phoenix, Arizona. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren, 1 step-grandchild, 2 great grandchildren and 25 nieces and nephews. A funeral service was held Saturday, December 2, 2000 at Messiah Lutheran Church in Vancouver, Washington.
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Source: clipping, Monona, Iowa newspaper, either the Billboard or Outlook)

Contributor: Connie L. Ellis (Not related, he was a classmate of my mother)