In Memoriam: Rev. Ralph K. Livdahl
We pray for the family and friends of Rev. Ralph K. Livdahl, who died October 16, 2023. He was 99 years old when he passed. A service was held Thursday, October, 26, 2023.
Ralph Livdahl, born August 5, 1924, was released to his Maker October 16, 2023. He attended Concordia College in Moorhead, MN. Ralph entered the Army in 1943, serving with 1482nd Engineers. He returned to Concordia College graduating Summa Cum Laude in 1946.
Ralph attended Luther Theological Seminary in St. Paul, and graduated in 1951. He was ordained June 17, 1951, and accepted his first parish on July 1, 1951. He served six different churches in his 50-year ministry: Rothsay, Cook, Milan, Highland Prairie, Elstad, Toronto, SD and visitation Pastor at Calvary Lutheran in Alexandria, MN.
He served Mesa Spirit RV Park five winter seasons after retirement. Ralph married Marjorie Sorenson on June 24, 1950, a marriage that lasted 63 years until Marge passed into our Lord’s hands. They had two children: Rodne of Mesa AZ and Colleen Ellerbroek of Alexandria MN. They were blessed to have 4 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren and 2 great great-granddaughters.
Other special people are Phyllis Severson, Marsha Rodgers, a gentleman who enjoyed Friday morning coffee and homemade ‘haystack’ snacks and AFS student Piedad Uribe Lazarazo Columbia SA. Ralph and Marge visited the Nordic countries, Germany and an extensive tour of the Holy Land.
Ralph enjoyed Bible camping trips with church youth in the Big Horn Mts in Wyoming. He could be heard singing ‘Jesus loves me this I know’ around the campfire. Psalms 1 and 104 were two of Ralph’s favorites. Pastor Ralph enjoyed a good, long life and was richly blessed as he was a blessing to so many. Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow.
“O God of grace and glory, we remember before you our brother, Pastor Ralph Livdahl. We thank you for giving him to us to know and to love as a companion in our pilgrimage on earth. In your boundless compassion, console us who mourn. Give us faith to see that death has been swallowed up in the victory of our Lord, Jesus Christ, so that we may live in confidence and hope until, by your call, we are gathered to our heavenly home in the company of all your saints; through Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord.”
