Pastor Lauren Edward Youngdale

Reverend Lauren Edward Youngdale, age 87, of Fergus Falls, went home to his Lord on Thursday, December 13, 2012 at PioneerCare in Fergus Falls.

Lauren was born on January 30, 1925 in Dayton, Iowa to Arthur and Olga (Norlin) Youngdale. He graduated from Dayton High School in 1943 and was drafted into the U.S. Army in December, serving as a Surgical Assistant in the Medical Corps at Winter General Hospital, Topeka, Kansas. In 1945 he was assigned to a hospital and troop transport ship which was a medical unit to Europe. It was while caring for wounded soldiers he received his call into the Holy Ministry.

Upon discharge in 1946, Lauren entered Luther Junior College, Wahoo, Nebraska where he met his future wife, Norma Anderson. He completed his college education at Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois in 1950 and his Seminary training at Augustana Theological Seminary, Rock Island in 1954.

On June 30, 1950, he married Norma, who lovingly assisted him through Seminary and their years of ministry. Together they raised seven children. He was ordained at Angelica Lutheran Church in Los Angeles, CA on June 20, 1954. His first Parish was at Trinity Lutheran Church in Axtell, Nebraska which he served for five years. He moved to Grace Lutheran Church in Hallock, Minnesota and Red River Lutheran Church, rural Hallock, for ten years and then to Augustana Lutheran in Fergus Falls from 1969 – 1980.

They then moved to Rochester MN and he studied at Rochester Methodist Hospital in Clinical Pastoral Education in preparation for Chaplaincy. Upon returning to Fergus Falls in 1981, Lauren served as Chaplain at Pioneer Retirement Community for sixteen years. He served at Augustana Lutheran Church, Elizabeth, and on staff in the Drug Dependency Unit of the Fergus Falls State Hospital. In addition he was Visitation Pastor at First Lutheran Church, Fergus Falls, and served in various capacities for several area churches.

Lauren loved to sing in many different choirs from the time he was in college to his time in Fergus Falls. He was active in Rotary, receiving the Paul Harris Fellowship, and Habitat for Humanity and the Fergus Falls American Legion Post. He retired in 1997. Shortly thereafter, Norma died quite suddenly after 47 years of not only a wonderful marriage, but an effective ministry alongside of Lauren.

In November 1999, Lauren married Ingrid Hult-Trobisch, who had five children: Katrine, David, Daniel, Stephen, and Ruth. After their marriage they led Family Life Mission Retreats stateside and internationally, and served parishes in the Springfield, Missouri area. Ingrid passed away in 2007 after which Lauren moved back to Fergus Falls, making his residence with the PioneerCare family.

During the last few years of Lauren’s life, Psalm 8:1-5 was a comfort to him. Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God alone). Lauren’s lifelong passion was to live his life as an Apostle of Christ, learning, teaching, and speaking the Good News of the Gospel to all people and all generations. He was a humble servant of Christ, from whom he drew his strength and wisdom. Lauren was a mentor and influenced many people in his ministry. He loved and adored his family and will be dearly missed.

Lauren is survived by his children: Philip (Paula Jean) of Brandon SD, Linda (Michael) Haarstad of Rothsay MN, Paula (Michael) Omogrosso, of Eugene OR, Mark (Carol) of Maple Grove MN, Carol (Linden) Olson of Worthington, MN, David (Trudi) of St. Paul MN, and Angela (James III) Babbitt of Moorhead MN; fourteen grandchildren: Stephanie (George) Nichols, Dawn Youngdale Burnison, Clayton Kopp, John (Angela) Haarstad, Rebekka (Derrick) Sievert, Paul (Jill) Haarstad, Keith Omogrosso, Briana (Thomas) O’Connor, Samantha Youngdale, Nora Olson, Ahnna (Kyle) Compart, Joel Olson, James IV and Hannah Babbitt; eleven great-grandchildren: Gavin and Addison Nichols, Kaden, Hailey and Isaac Haarstad, Jacob and Justin Sievert, Grady and Samuel Haarstad, Carly and Rachel O’Connor. He is also survived by one brother, Kenneth (Jean) Youngdale of Webster City, IA; as well as numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, and countless friends.

Preceding him in death were his two wives, Norma and Ingrid, his parents, two sisters, Ruby Klatt and Doris Persson, and one brother, The Reverend Kermit Youngdale.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to be sent to Lakeland Hospice, Pioneer Care Center, or Augustana Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls.

Visitation: 4-7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home with a 6:30 p.m. prayer service and resumes one hour prior to the service at the church.
Funeral Service: 1 p.m. Thursday, December 20, 2012 at Augustana Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls
Clergy: Reverend Phil Tobin and Chaplain Harry Olson
Interment: Bethlehem Cemetery in Fergus Falls
Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls is in charge of the arrangements.

Condolences may be sent online at www.olsonfuneralhome.com