by John R. Brooks, ELCA News Service
The Rev. Olaf K. Storaasli, professor emeritus of New Testament,
Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn., and pastor of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), died May 16. Though the cause
of death was undetermined, his daughter, Carolyn Nestingen, told
the Minneapolis Star-Tribune that Storaasli had been suffering
from congestive heart problems.
Storaasli, 90, was retired and lived in Falcon Heights, Minn. He
taught at Luther Seminary, one of eight ELCA seminaries, from
1958 to 1986 as a scholar of Johannine and Pauline literature,
according to a seminary news release. He and his wife Lila
traveled extensively, hosted foreign exchange students, and led
faculty and students on trips to the Middle East. He was a
founder of the Hospitality Center for the Chinese, St. Paul.
Storaasli and Lila actively supported the Faith Chinese
Fellowship, which holds services in the Storaasli's home
congregation, St. Anthony Park Lutheran Church, St. Paul.
Born in Clarkfield, Minn., Storaasli graduated in 1937 from St.
Olaf College, Northfield, Minn., with a bachelor's degree. He
earned bachelor of theology degree at Luther Theological Seminary
(now Luther Seminary) in 1941. In 1942 he earned a master of
theology degree at Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton,
N.J., and in 1944 he earned a doctorate in sacred theology at
Temple University, Philadelphia. Following ordination in 1942,
Storaasli was pastor of congregations in Philadelphia and
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, before he began a 15-year
teaching career at Luther Seminary (now Lutheran Theological
Seminary), Saskatoon. He was also president of that seminary.
Among the works he authored were "Augsburg Uniform Lesson
Series," "A People Sent by God," and "A People Claimed by God."
In addition to Lila, Storaasli is survived by three daughters,
Elizabeth, Faith and Carolyn, and a son, Olaf. A memorial
service was held May 22 at St. Anthony Park Lutheran Church.
LINKS
Luther Seminary: http://www.luthersem.edu/
Minneapolis Star-Tribune: http://www.startribune.com/
Hospitality Center for the Chinese: http://www.chinesehc.org/
Faith Chinese Fellowship: http://faith.ccim.org/about_en.htm
St. Anthony Park Lutheran Church: http://www.saplc.org/
St. Olaf College: http://www.stolaf.edu/
Princeton Theological Seminary: http://www.ptsem.edu/
Temple University: http://www.temple.edu/
Lutheran Theological Seminary: http://www.usask.ca/stu/luther/
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
