Silas Bergstad

Silas Bergstad, 96, a resident of Fergus Falls, died Thursday, September 13, 2007 at Broen Memorial Home in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. Silas Elliot Bergstad was born on April 18, 1911 in Spruce Grove Township near Menahga, MN, the son of Norwegian immigrants Knute and Anna (Skaug) Bergstad. He grew up in Lake Park and attended high school at the Lutheran Brethren Bible School in Grand Forks, ND (now Hillcrest Academy in Fergus Falls). In the summer at age 16, Silas traveled with an LBS male quartet across the U.S. After graduating from high school in 1929, he received his teacher's certificate from Moorhead State Teacher's College. His ministry started early when he was asked to preach in his home church at age 18. He went on to pastor churches in Detroit Lakes and Minneapolis, where he also attended Augsburg College. Sensing a call to the ministry, Silas attended and graduated from Lutheran Brethren Schools (LBS) Seminary in Fergus Falls in 1937. He was called to serve the Lutheran Brethren (LB) church in Mayville, ND, in which he was ordained into the ministry on September 4, 1938. He also attended Mayville Teacher's College during this time. Having met at Lutheran Brethren Schools, Silas married Solveig Rolfsen in Brooklyn, NY on June 1, 1940. She joined him in the parish ministry in Staten Island, NY and later in Manhattan, NY. During this time, Silas attended Biblical Seminary in NY and graduated from Wagner College in NY. They spent a year in Oslo, Norway where Silas taught at Fjellhaug Skoler while attending the Independent Theological Seminary. Moving to Fergus Falls in 1948, Silas taught at LBS until 1953. During this time, he also pastored a church in Elbow Lake and in Maplewood. In 1952 they were blessed with their first daughter, Faith. Silas then served the LB church in Faribault, MN from 1953-1956, moving on to serve the LB church in Succasunna, NJ from 1956-1961. In 1956 they were blessed with a second daughter, Rondi. During this time Silas also obtained his MA and PhD from New York University. In 1957 and from 1961-1964, Silas was a professor at Shelton College in Ringwood, NJ. While pastoring the LB church in Briarcliff Manor, NY from 1964-1967, he also taught at King's College in Briarcliff Manor, NY and Nyack Missionary College in Nyack, NY. 1967 brought Silas and family back to Fergus Falls to teach at LBS. Solveig went to be with the Lord in December of 1968. In the summertime, Silas enjoyed traveling with several student singing groups, giving programs and concerts in churches in the East and West Coasts and the Midwest. In July of 1970, Silas married Ione Haverly in Fergus Falls. While Silas was teaching at LBS, Ione joined him in the parish ministry at a church in Pelican Rapids from 1973-1976. They then moved in 1976 to serve the LB church in Eugene, Oregon. Retiring in 1978, the Bergstads moved to Silverton, Oregon where they enjoyed their ministry of hospitality. After his retirement, they also ministered in Pasadena, California and Minot, ND. In 1990, they moved back to Fergus Falls where they continued their ministry of hospitality. Ione went to be with the Lord in October of 1998. Everyone who knew Silas knew he loved the Lord first and foremost, and he loved his family. He also had a passion for the fields of Christian Education and music, which he used in all areas of his ministry. In addition to studying, reading, and writing, Silas's favorite pastimes included taking walks, traveling, gardening, and visiting with family and friends. He loved families, his students, teaching, and his parishioners. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought a smile to his face even in his last days. Preceding him in death were his parents; seven sisters: Amanda Soreng, Inez Raun, Helen Sjule, Clara Sjule, Frieda Johansen, Ruth Vigesaa, and Elsie Vigesaa; one infant brother, Orve; his first wife of 28 years, Solveig; and his second wife of 28 years, Ione. He leaves to mourn his passing two daughters: Faith (Mark) Tysver of Fergus Falls, and Rondi (Tim) Hovdestad of Saskatchewan, Canada; five grandchildren, Kelly (Kirk) Carow of Fargo, ND, Katie Rahr of Moorhead, MN, Kristi Tysver of Minneapolis, and Leah and Tory Hovdestad of Saskatchewan, Canada; and six great-grandchildren: Chase and Cameron Carow, step great-grandson Connor Carow, and Ryan, Kaden, and Riley Rahr. Visitation: 6-8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home with a 7:30 p.m. prayer service and resumes one hour prior to the service at the church. Service: 11 a.m. Saturday at Bethel Lutheran Church in Fergus Falls Clergy:      Reverend Ed Monson Interment: Bethlehem Lutheran Cemetery in Fergus Falls Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls Memorials are preferred to the Lutheran Brethren Schools or World Missions. Condolences may be sent online at www.olsonfuneralhome.com