Pastor Elmo Anderson

Pastor Elmo W. Anderson of Fargo, ND died peacefully at home on April 15.
Elmo was born April 9, 1932 in rural Park River, ND to Elmer & Julia (Flaten) Anderson. He was baptized May 1, 1932 at Pleasant Valley Lutheran Church. He grew up on the family farm surrounded by aunts, uncles and cousins. He was confirmed May 5, 1946 at Golden Valley Lutheran Church. He attended the Walsh County Agricultural and Training School where he was active in Future Farmers of America (FFA) and played saxophone in the high school band. He graduated in 1949. In that same year, his family sold their farm and began a new farming operation near Hillsboro, ND. The Park River area remained important to him throughout his life.
He enrolled at Concordia College, Moorhead, MN in the fall of 1951 and graduated in 1955 with a B.A. in psychology and English. While at Concordia he met his future wife, Norma Jordahl. He also played in the band, served as student body president, and developed a strong interest in theology. Elmo entered Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN in the fall of 1955. While at seminary, Norma and Elmo were married on January 13, 1957 at Finley Lutheran Church by her father, the Rev. O.A. Jordahl. They spent a year in Chicago, IL at Bethel Lutheran Church for internship. Elmo was ordained into the Evangelical Lutheran Church (ELC) in 1959 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Hillsboro, ND. He served parishes in Doyon and Crary, ND (1959-1963), Maddock, ND (1963-1971), and Peace Lutheran Church, Fargo, ND (1971-1990). Beginning in 1990, Elmo served as chaplain at Bethany Homes in Fargo until he retired in 1999. In semi-retirement, Elmo served as visitation pastor at Trinity Lutheran in Moorhead, MN, and provided supply (substitute) preaching for a number of area churches.
Elmo cherished the relationships developed with the people he served throughout his life. The highest compliment he could receive was for his parishioners to call him their pastor. He highly valued the opportunity to work with other pastors and interns in developing staff ministries. A lifelong learner, he had a passion for reading and studying theology.
Family was central to his life. He was devoted to Norma, his wife of 62 years and was proud of his children. He and his family were devastated by the sudden death of his oldest son Joel in a traffic accident in 1980. He delighted in his grandchildren and was grateful for the opportunity to watch them grow. He had a lifelong interest in family history, enjoyed North Dakota Politics and developed a strong interest in prairie photography late in life.
He is survived by his wife Norma, three children, Beth (Bert Flora), Robert (Bruna Pedrini), Ted (Tanya), six grandchildren (Nathan and Benjamin Anderson, Joseph and Meghan Flora, and Stella and Lucy Anderson), nieces, nephews and extended family. He was preceded in death by his son Joel, parents Elmer and Julia, and brothers Herbert and Joseph.
Memorial Gathering: Sunday, April 28, 2019, from 3:00 P.M. until 5:00 P.M. with a prayer service at 5, in Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead, MN.
Memorial Service: Monday, April 29, 2019, at 11:00 A.M. in Trinity Lutheran Church, Moorhead, MN.
Interment: Monday, April 29, 2019, at 4:00 P.M. in Riverside Cemetery, Hillsboro, ND.