Orville Dallas Sanderson (1924-2005)

SANDERSON, MASON, OLSON, HOEL, CARLSON, LUTHER, LIRONES, BROWN

Posted By: Ames Tribune
Date: 8/27/2005 at 08:56:05

THE AMES TRIBUNE, Ames, Story County, Iowa, Friday, August 26, 2005.

Orville Dallas Sanderson, 81, Ames died Wednesday, Aug. 24, at Israel Family Hospice House in Ames. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 29, at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Ames.

Orville Dallas Sanderson was born Feb. 27, 1924, in Jackson, Minn., to Howard and Ella (Mason) Sanderson. During his elementary years, he attended a one-room school house near Jackson. He graduated from Jackson High School in 1942.

For six years after high school, he worked on the family farm. During this time, he became involved in his local church's Luther League youth organization and felt a calling into the Christian ministry. He enrolled at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn., and graduated magna cum laude in 1951. At Concordia, he met his wife, Carrol Olson, of Souris, N.D. They were married on Aug. 8, 1951, in a double ceremony with Carrol's sister.
He continued his studies at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn. Along with his seminary studies, he also completed a summer at Biblical Theological Seminary in New York, as well as clinical pastoral training at Fairview Hospital in Minneapolis. He was ordained into the Christian ministry in 1954 at his home congregation, Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Jackson, Minn.

His first parish was Fertile Lutheran Church and Pilot Knob Lutheran Church in Fertile, where he served until 1957. He then served Trinity Lutheran Church in Ellsworth until 1965. Next, he served Bricelyn Lutheran Church in Bricelyn, Minn., until 1972, followed by Immanuel Lutheran Church in Harlan until 1975. From 1975 to 1980, he pastored Holmes Lutheran Church and Samuel Lutheran Church in Eagle Grove, and in 1980, he began his pastorate at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Story City. He retired in 1988.

During his years in the parish ministry, he was a guest evangelist at several evangelistic community services around the country under the auspices of the Evangelism Department of the former American Lutheran Church. He also served on the board of directors of the World Mission Prayer League, Riverside Lutheran Bible Camp and Bethany Manor.

He did not stay retired for long. He came partially out of retirement to serve as visitation pastor at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Ames until shortly before his death. During this time, he also was guest preacher at many area churches.

He is survived by his wife, Carrol Sanderson of Ames; three daughters, Ruth (Robert) Hoel of Rochester, Minn., Miriam (Marty) Carlson of Westmont, Ill., and Rachel (Dennis) Luther, Eau Claire, Wis.; one son, Daniel (Naila) Sanderson of New Richmond, Wis.; 13 grandchildren: Shani Luther, Talitha Sanderson, Rebecca Hoel, Kim (Zechariah) Lirones, Marika (Joseph) Brown, Elizabeth Hoel, Joel Sanderson, Marah Hoel, Morgan Luther, Marie Carlson, Zachary Luther, Matthew Carlson and Vanessa Luther; one great-granddaughter, Modesty Lirones; and several cousins.

He will be remembered for his great passion for ministry, especially preaching, visitation and Bible study. He was especially known for his fabulous sermons, which often were peppered with anecdotes and poignant stories, and for his interesting children's illustrations. He was a humble man, always wanting to give glory to God and not himself.

Outside of his ministry activities, he enjoyed fishing, photography, painting, travel and classical music. He took great pleasure in his family and had the privilege of baptizing all of his grandchildren.

His gentle and loving spirit was a comfort and inspiration to many, as he brought words of encouragement to hundreds and thousands of people throughout his life. He will be greatly missed.

In lieu of flowers, memorial suggestions are Luther Seminary, Riverside Bible Camp, World Mission Prayer League and Bethesda Lutheran Church.

Adams Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

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