Rev. Don Hamilton Two articles
Rev. Don Hamilton, 1914- was not the son of a minister as his predecessors had been, so his home and educational background uintil he went to the Seminary, was quite similar to that of his parishioners. He attended school in New York
City, New York; Omaha, Nebraska, Omaha Municipal University and graduating in 1948 from Luther Theological Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota.
He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
Before coming to St. Ansgar, Rev. Hamilton served Central Lutheran Church, Dallas, Texas from 1948-1957. In May 1957 he came to serve First Lutheran Congregation until 1963. Along with the regular duties of a pastor, it was his responsibility of guiding the congregatin to a compromise plan for the new Parish Center which was completed and dedicatyed in November 1960. Also during his ministry here the merger of several synods created the new American Lutheran Church (ALC). It was his task to convert the congregation to the use of a new hymnal and an entirely new liturgy; this required much patience and understanding on his part as he guided it through its difficult period of adjustment.
From 1963-1966 he served at Okoboji Lutheran Bible Camp, Spririt Lake, Iowa; 1966-1967 North Brand, South Branch Petersburg Parish, (3 point) rural Albion, Nebraska. in 1967 hemoved to Sacred Heart, Minnesota where he is presently serving Hawk Creek Lutheran Church and ebenezer Lutheran Church.
He is married to Arlene Marcella Hesla and they are parents of six children: Kathleen (Mrs. Larry Gunter), Robin, Naomi (Mrs. Mark Tate), Brian, Patrice and Michael.
The duties of caring for the parsonage family did not keep Mrs. Hamilton from starting many fine children's choirs. She presented many fine programs which permitted the congregation to enjoy the musical talent within the church. It was a reawl privilege for a child to be in one of her choirs. "She had a way with them."
From "First Lutheran Church 1953 - 1978" booklet.
Rev. Don R. Hamilton was born on April 15, 1914, and attended school in New York City, at Omaha Municipal University in Omaha, Nebraska, and Luther Theological Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. He graduated in 1948 from Luther. Don had served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
From 1948 until 1957 he served Central Lutheran Church in Dallas, Texas.
He then served at First Lutheran church in St. Ansgar, Iowa from May 1957 until 1963.
While at First Lutheran, Don guided the congregation's plans to build a new parish center. He also had the job of converting the congregation to the use of not only a new hymnal, but an entirely new liturgy -- following the creation of the American Lutheran Church (ALC) from a number of different synods.
He married Arlene Marcella Hesla, and they had six children: Kathleen, Robin, Naomi, Brian, Patrice and Michael.
After leaving St. Ansgar in 1963, Don served at the Lutheran bible camp at Spirit Lake, Iowa until 1966; he then served at Albion, Nebraska for a year; and then in 1967 he moved to Sacred Heart, Minnesota where he served at two different churches there.
Rev. Hamilton died on March 6, 1996, and he was buried in the Lebanon Cemetery, New London, Minnesota. Arlene died on July 8, 1997.
Above based on a piece in the First Lutheran sesquicentennial booklet (2003), and the Social Security Death Index.