Rev. Arndt L. Halvorson

Halvorson, Arndt L. Rev. Arndt L. Halvorson died February 1, 2006 in the Good Samaritan Home, Waconia, MN. Arndt was born March 3, 1915 to Agnes and Leonard Halvorson in Dell Rapids SD, the oldest of four children. After graduating from Dell Rapids High School, Arndt attended Augustana College, Sioux Falls, where his three sisters would also study. Arndt met his wife, Kaia Emily Elvestrom at Augustana, and the two were married for 65 years. He graduated from Luther Theological Seminary, and was ordained as a pastor in the American Lutheran Church July 19, 1940. After a two year engagement, Arndt and Emily were married July 20, 1940, in Sioux Falls. During his 20 years as a parish pastor, Arndt served congregations in Casper, Wyoming; West Hempstead NY; Forest City, Iowa; Minneapolis, Minnesota and Prescott, Arizona. He became loved and respected as a powerful preacher and faithful pastor. In 1958 Arndt accepted a position teaching Homiletics and Ministry at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN, where he taught until he retired in 1982. Throughout these years he continued studying, at Columbia University, New York; University of Edinburgh, Scotland; Cambridge University, England; Claremont School of Theology and Duke University; and served as guest pastor at the American Lutheran Church in Oslo, Norway. Dr. Halvorson authored four books and contributed to countless publications. Throughout his life Arndt acted on his passions: the love and grace of Jesus Christ, learning and teaching, the dignity of every person, the proclamation of the Gospel and his family. Guided often by the faith and values he learned in his father's blacksmith shop, Arndt and Emily passed these passions on to their six children. Arndt was preceded in death by his parents, son Richard and daughter Karen Hedland, and sisters Regene and Harriett. Grateful for having shared his life are his wife Kaia Emily, sister Bergie Benzon, brother-in-law Howard Glenn, daughters Martha (Richard) Knutson, Sara (Randy) Johnson, Gretchen Mannix, son Leonard (Karen), daughter-in-law Mary Ann (Al) Solmonson, son-in-law John Hedland, 17 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He will never be forgotten and will always be loved. A memorial service will be held Monday, Feb. 6th, 2:00 pm at St. Anthony Park Lutheran Church in St. Paul, MN. Memorials for the charity of your choice are requested in lieu of flowers. Washburn-McReavy Southeast Chapel 612-379-2368

Rev. Arndt L. Halvorson

February 5, 2006

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