Pastors: 1895-1990

Born in Norway in 1869; emigrated in 1888.
Ordained in 1895
Served from 1895-1908

In 1920, Rev. Aastad was living in Thief River Falls with his wife, Anna R. (born in 1875 in Minnesota). They had the following children born in Minnesota: Agnes (1899), Harry (1902), and Nora (1904).

By 1930, Iver and Anna had moved to Detroit Lakes and Agnes was still single and living with them.

Born in Norway in 1858
Ordained in 1903
Served from 1908-1913

Born in Minnesota in 1879
Ordained in 1907
Served from 1913-1916

Rev. Gryting was born to Eling and Guri Gryting in Redwood County, Minnesota in October, 1879. He was the first of his family to be born in the United States: his older sister (Turi) and brother (Reiar) were both born in Norway.

In 1910, he was single and living in Mountrail County, North Dakota. He married Anna Netteland, a St. Pauli parishioner around 1916, but by 1930, they were divorced and he was living as a lodger with the Lafond family in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He passed away in Chippewa County, Minneosta in April 1947.

Born in Norway in 1858
Ordained in 1903
Served from 1908-1913

Served in 1917

Born in Wisconsin in 1872
Ordained in 1902
Served from 1918-1926

Rev. Grimsrud was married to Dora (born 1879 in Minnesota). Their two oldest children were born in South Dakota: daughters, Gudrun (1906) and Agnes (1908). The next two daughters were born in Minnesota: Marie (1910) and Dorthea (1912). Daughter Valborg (1915) and son Carl (1917) were born in Idaho.

In 1910 the family was living in Clearwater County, Minnesota. By 1930, they had moved to Clay County, Minnesota.

Born in Iowa in 1877
Ordained in 1906
Served from 1926-1928

was born in Norway in 1874 and emigrated to the Red Wing, Minnesota area when he was seventeen. He was ordained in 1905 at Red Wing and began his ministry in a Chicago church where he served two years.

He was then sent to Thief River Falls in 1907 to serve what is now Trinity Church. He then served churches in Eagle Bend, Minnesota and at Drayton, North Dakota before coming in 1928 to serve the St. Hilaire parish until 1941 when he retired due to ill health.

Pastor and Mrs. Dahle had four children. He died in 1943 at Sauk Centre, Minnesota.

was born in South Dakota in 1915 and was ordained in 1941. He came to the St. Hilaire parish as his first call where he served from 1941-1945. He married his wife Marian in 1942 and the first of their five sons was born here the next year.

After leaving St. Hilaire he served at Pierre, South Dakota; Story City, Iowa; Tomah, Wisconsin; Orforville, Wisconsin; and Green Bay, Wisconsin. His last position was as a chaplain at the Montana State Prison at Deer Lodge, Montana, where he continued until retirement and for a time after. During this time Marian taught primary grades at Garrison, Montana. Since 1992, they have lived in Fargo, North Dakota.

was born on June 11, 1904 in Winneshiek County, Iowa. He was ordained in 1933 and came to the St. Hilaire parish in 1945, serving here until 1952 when he left to accept a call to Winger, Minnesota.

Pastor and Mrs. Fjelstul had three children: Connie, John, and Alice. Rev. Fjelstul passed away on August 12, 1966 in Olmsted County, Minnesota.

was born in 1929 in Benson County, North Dakota to Carl and Emma Person. He was ordained in 1954. He came to the St. Hilaire parish as his first call where he served until 1958 when he accepted a call to East Jordan, Michigan.

He then served parishes in Scandinavia, Wisconsin; Columbus, Ohio; and Oakes, North Dakota. His last residence listed is Northwood, Iowa.

He married his wife Elaine in 1959 and they have three children: Truls, Gretchen, and Trevor.

was born in 1885 in Wisconsin and ordained in 1914. He was serving the Bethany parish in Red Lake Falls when Pastor Person resigned.

Pastor Berg was then asked to serve jointly the Bethany and St. Hilaire parishes, which he did until retiring in 1961.

was born in 1936 in Iowa and ordained in 1962. He and his wife, Sylvia, came here as his first call in 1962 and served here until 1966.

He left to accept a call to Sabula, Iowa, then served in Waubun, Minnesota; Williams, Iowa; Earlsville, Iowa; Zap, North Dakota; and Benedict, North Dakota, where he presently serves.

His wife died in 1978. They had one son, David, who was born September 2, 1963.

was born in Wisconsin in 1938 and was ordained in 1966. He came to the St. Hilaire parish in 1966 as his first call and served here until 1977 when he accepted a call to Cass Lake, Minnesota.He married his wife, Carolyn, in 1967 and their two daughters, Rebecca (Becky) and Elizabeth (Dee Dee) were born during their stay here.

Pastor Swanson then served in Cass Lake from 1977 to 1988, and since then has done interim ministry at Atkin, Two Harbors, Virginia, and most recently, Pine River. Carolyn has been a third grade teacher at Cass Lake.

was born on May 23, 1943 in Ramsey County, Minnesota and was ordained in 1977. He and his wife, Doris, came here later that year as his first call. He served here until 1982 when he left to accept a call to West Fargo, North Dakota. He later served at Gwinner, North Dakota, and then moved to Princeton, MN, where he now serves.

Their son, John Marshall, was born during their stay here.

was born in 1949 in Washington and was ordained in 1982. He and his wife, Kris, came to the St. Hilaire parish as his first call in 1982. He served here until accepting a call to Fairfield, Washington in 1990. While here, Kris also served as our parish secretary.

They welcomed two children during their stay, Emily and Amanda. Gary continues to serve the Fairfield parish and is also chaplain at a nursing home there, as well as an Emergency Medical Technician.

served as lay interim pastor for our parish in 1977 and again in 1982. He has continued to serve in that capacity in other area churches as well, along with his insurance business. He and his wife, Carol, are parents of two children. Borchert has recently been appointed to serve the Wannaska parish in Roseau County.

began serving as a lay interim pastor in 1963. He and Frances came to our parish for a period in 1990 and have served occasionally since then. They live in the rural Warren area and have been life-long farmers there. They have five children and fourteen grandchildren. They have also served at Strandquist on two longer term calls besides several short calls. Their motto is: "Have good news -- will travel!"