J. Elvern ‘Al’ Rommereim, 89
Daily Inter Lake
February 14, 2012 at 3:03 pm
Pastor J. Elvern “Al” Rommereim passed away on Monday, Feb. 13, 2012, at his residence in Kalispell. He was born Jan. 16, 1923, with his twin sister Joyce Virginia, to Joe and Bertha Rommereim on a farm in Beresford, S.D., with only a neighbor to help. The story is told that when his father, Joe, came in from milking he dropped the pails of milk when he was told Bertha had given birth to not one baby, but a boy and a girl.
Al grew up attending a one-room schoolhouse for his first eight grades and then attended Augustana Academy, a Lutheran high school in Canton, S.D. His first year of college was spent at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, S.D. In 1942 he transferred to St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn., where he sang in the St. Olaf Choir under the direction of F. Melius Christiansen and his son Olaf. This was the final year of direction for the founder of the choir, F. Melius.
In November of 1942, Al enlisted in the Army and was assigned to the Army Specialized Training Program (ASTP). Because of the need for more soldiers on the European front, this program was closed and Al became part of the Special Troops for Tactical Deception in World War II. His division, the 3132nd, was part of the 23rd Infantry Division in Europe. Their method of deception saved thousands of lives, especially in the crossing of the Rhine River.
When the war ended, Al returned to St. Olaf College in the winter of 1946. He had a very beautiful, strong, low bass voice and again was accepted into the choir. On the choir tour to the East Coast in 1947, a romance bloomed as he started dating Helen Jane Reitmann. Very soon they knew they were destined for a life together. Following his graduation in June of 1948, Al and Helen were married in Red Wing, Minn. They settled in Boulder, Colo., where Al enrolled in graduate school, studying business and personnel administration.
In December of 1948, after much thoughtful prayer, Al felt called to the ministry. The following September they moved to St. Paul to matriculate at Luther Seminary. Their son Douglas was born several months before that and while at the seminary, their daughter Connie and son David were born. Al was ordained into the Lutheran ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church at his home church, Romsdahl Lutheran, a part of Moe Parish at Beresford, in May of 1952.
His first parish was Walnut Grove, Minn., where another daughter, Mary, was born. Two years later, in the fall of 1954, Al was called to establish a Lutheran mission congregation in Garden Grove, Calif., and the family moved to California in January of 1955. California became their home and Al established three mission churches and served two established churches. He was a very gifted pastor and had a special knack for developing relationships and establishing congregations. He was a very creative preacher of the Gospel, a generous and loving man with a kindly spirit and a great pastoral heart.
Two more children were born in California, John in Garden Grove, and Annie in Canoga Park, completing their family of three boys and three girls. Al was always proud to say, “They came boy, girl, boy, girl, boy, girl ...”
During their ministry Al and Helen traveled extensively. They were travel guides to the Holy Land, Egypt and the journeys of St. Paul two times, and also took two groups to Oberammergau, Germany, for the beautiful “Passion Play.”
They also attended two theological summer sessions in Oxford at Mansfield College and St. Andrews, Scotland. Several other trips were taken to Norway, Sweden and the rest of Europe.
Al and Helen Jane had a wonderful, fulfilling life together, raising a family and serving Lutheran churches in California. Perhaps the most gratifying and fun place was Our Savior's Lutheran in Lafayette, Calif. These were wonderful years and a vibrant ministry. Fun things happened, such as the building of an incredible tree house in a 200-year-old oak tree. After retiring in 1985, Al served several churches as interim pastor.
They spent summers on Whitefish Lake in an A-frame cabin and wintered in Santa Rosa, Calif. The cabin became a wonderful family gathering place and Al enjoyed creative carpentry, making decks, Adirondack chairs, etc. In 1988, Al and Helen built a small log cabin together, as by this time their family of six had expanded with spouses and grandchildren and an extra area was needed for sleeping. Throughout their life, they enjoyed camping trips with the family and fishing, sitting on the deck, enjoying beautiful sunsets and the wonder of nature, boating on the lake and pulling grandchildren behind the boat on floats.
Al was a kind, loving husband, father and grandfather with a twinkle in his eye and a good sense of humor. He enjoyed good music, especially choral. With his beautiful singing voice, he always seemed to find the right notes to harmonize.
He was an avid reader and really enjoyed a good book. He also greatly enjoyed watching sporting events on television. A good theological discussion and some good laughs with his buddies were very special to him. And, of course, very special to Al were his children, their spouses and their families, all of whom he loved dearly.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his twin sister Ginny, who died in 1986; and older sister Cecile, who died in 2008.
He is survived by his loving wife, Helen Jane; his six children, Douglas, Connie, David, Mary, John and Annie, and their spouses; 14 grandchildren, Scott, Katie, Gaia, Risa, Helen ,Martin, Jacob, Clair, Molly, Andy, Isaac, Doug, Chenoah and Joseph; and three great-grandchildren, Tyler, Hayden and Will Harris; along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Al and Helen have been residents of Kalispell since 2006, when they moved from Santa Rosa. They have enjoyed the wonderful fellowship as members of Northridge Lutheran Church. Al will be remembered as a soft-spoken man with a deeply grounded faith.
Memorial services for Al will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 18, at Northridge Lutheran Church, with Pastor Dan Heskett officiating. The family suggests that memorials be given to Home Options Hospice, 430 Windward Way, Kalispell, MT 59901; Luther Theological Seminary, 2481 Como Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108; or Northridge Lutheran Church, 323 Northridge Drive, Kalispell, MT 59901. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Al's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and view Al's tribute wall.
Daily Inter Lake
February 14, 2012 at 3:03 pm
Pastor J. Elvern “Al” Rommereim passed away on Monday, Feb. 13, 2012, at his residence in Kalispell. He was born Jan. 16, 1923, with his twin sister Joyce Virginia, to Joe and Bertha Rommereim on a farm in Beresford, S.D., with only a neighbor to help. The story is told that when his father, Joe, came in from milking he dropped the pails of milk when he was told Bertha had given birth to not one baby, but a boy and a girl.
Al grew up attending a one-room schoolhouse for his first eight grades and then attended Augustana Academy, a Lutheran high school in Canton, S.D. His first year of college was spent at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, S.D. In 1942 he transferred to St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn., where he sang in the St. Olaf Choir under the direction of F. Melius Christiansen and his son Olaf. This was the final year of direction for the founder of the choir, F. Melius.
In November of 1942, Al enlisted in the Army and was assigned to the Army Specialized Training Program (ASTP). Because of the need for more soldiers on the European front, this program was closed and Al became part of the Special Troops for Tactical Deception in World War II. His division, the 3132nd, was part of the 23rd Infantry Division in Europe. Their method of deception saved thousands of lives, especially in the crossing of the Rhine River.
When the war ended, Al returned to St. Olaf College in the winter of 1946. He had a very beautiful, strong, low bass voice and again was accepted into the choir. On the choir tour to the East Coast in 1947, a romance bloomed as he started dating Helen Jane Reitmann. Very soon they knew they were destined for a life together. Following his graduation in June of 1948, Al and Helen were married in Red Wing, Minn. They settled in Boulder, Colo., where Al enrolled in graduate school, studying business and personnel administration.
In December of 1948, after much thoughtful prayer, Al felt called to the ministry. The following September they moved to St. Paul to matriculate at Luther Seminary. Their son Douglas was born several months before that and while at the seminary, their daughter Connie and son David were born. Al was ordained into the Lutheran ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church at his home church, Romsdahl Lutheran, a part of Moe Parish at Beresford, in May of 1952.
His first parish was Walnut Grove, Minn., where another daughter, Mary, was born. Two years later, in the fall of 1954, Al was called to establish a Lutheran mission congregation in Garden Grove, Calif., and the family moved to California in January of 1955. California became their home and Al established three mission churches and served two established churches. He was a very gifted pastor and had a special knack for developing relationships and establishing congregations. He was a very creative preacher of the Gospel, a generous and loving man with a kindly spirit and a great pastoral heart.
Two more children were born in California, John in Garden Grove, and Annie in Canoga Park, completing their family of three boys and three girls. Al was always proud to say, “They came boy, girl, boy, girl, boy, girl ...”
During their ministry Al and Helen traveled extensively. They were travel guides to the Holy Land, Egypt and the journeys of St. Paul two times, and also took two groups to Oberammergau, Germany, for the beautiful “Passion Play.”
They also attended two theological summer sessions in Oxford at Mansfield College and St. Andrews, Scotland. Several other trips were taken to Norway, Sweden and the rest of Europe.
Al and Helen Jane had a wonderful, fulfilling life together, raising a family and serving Lutheran churches in California. Perhaps the most gratifying and fun place was Our Savior's Lutheran in Lafayette, Calif. These were wonderful years and a vibrant ministry. Fun things happened, such as the building of an incredible tree house in a 200-year-old oak tree. After retiring in 1985, Al served several churches as interim pastor.
They spent summers on Whitefish Lake in an A-frame cabin and wintered in Santa Rosa, Calif. The cabin became a wonderful family gathering place and Al enjoyed creative carpentry, making decks, Adirondack chairs, etc. In 1988, Al and Helen built a small log cabin together, as by this time their family of six had expanded with spouses and grandchildren and an extra area was needed for sleeping. Throughout their life, they enjoyed camping trips with the family and fishing, sitting on the deck, enjoying beautiful sunsets and the wonder of nature, boating on the lake and pulling grandchildren behind the boat on floats.
Al was a kind, loving husband, father and grandfather with a twinkle in his eye and a good sense of humor. He enjoyed good music, especially choral. With his beautiful singing voice, he always seemed to find the right notes to harmonize.
He was an avid reader and really enjoyed a good book. He also greatly enjoyed watching sporting events on television. A good theological discussion and some good laughs with his buddies were very special to him. And, of course, very special to Al were his children, their spouses and their families, all of whom he loved dearly.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his twin sister Ginny, who died in 1986; and older sister Cecile, who died in 2008.
He is survived by his loving wife, Helen Jane; his six children, Douglas, Connie, David, Mary, John and Annie, and their spouses; 14 grandchildren, Scott, Katie, Gaia, Risa, Helen ,Martin, Jacob, Clair, Molly, Andy, Isaac, Doug, Chenoah and Joseph; and three great-grandchildren, Tyler, Hayden and Will Harris; along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Al and Helen have been residents of Kalispell since 2006, when they moved from Santa Rosa. They have enjoyed the wonderful fellowship as members of Northridge Lutheran Church. Al will be remembered as a soft-spoken man with a deeply grounded faith.
Memorial services for Al will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 18, at Northridge Lutheran Church, with Pastor Dan Heskett officiating. The family suggests that memorials be given to Home Options Hospice, 430 Windward Way, Kalispell, MT 59901; Luther Theological Seminary, 2481 Como Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108; or Northridge Lutheran Church, 323 Northridge Drive, Kalispell, MT 59901. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Al's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and view Al's tribute wall.
J. Elvern ‘Al’ Rommereim, 89
Daily Inter Lake
February 14, 2012 at 3:03 pm
Pastor J. Elvern “Al” Rommereim passed away on Monday, Feb. 13, 2012, at his residence in Kalispell. He was born Jan. 16, 1923, with his twin sister Joyce Virginia, to Joe and Bertha Rommereim on a farm in Beresford, S.D., with only a neighbor to help. The story is told that when his father, Joe, came in from milking he dropped the pails of milk when he was told Bertha had given birth to not one baby, but a boy and a girl.
Al grew up attending a one-room schoolhouse for his first eight grades and then attended Augustana Academy, a Lutheran high school in Canton, S.D. His first year of college was spent at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, S.D. In 1942 he transferred to St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn., where he sang in the St. Olaf Choir under the direction of F. Melius Christiansen and his son Olaf. This was the final year of direction for the founder of the choir, F. Melius.
In November of 1942, Al enlisted in the Army and was assigned to the Army Specialized Training Program (ASTP). Because of the need for more soldiers on the European front, this program was closed and Al became part of the Special Troops for Tactical Deception in World War II. His division, the 3132nd, was part of the 23rd Infantry Division in Europe. Their method of deception saved thousands of lives, especially in the crossing of the Rhine River.
When the war ended, Al returned to St. Olaf College in the winter of 1946. He had a very beautiful, strong, low bass voice and again was accepted into the choir. On the choir tour to the East Coast in 1947, a romance bloomed as he started dating Helen Jane Reitmann. Very soon they knew they were destined for a life together. Following his graduation in June of 1948, Al and Helen were married in Red Wing, Minn. They settled in Boulder, Colo., where Al enrolled in graduate school, studying business and personnel administration.
In December of 1948, after much thoughtful prayer, Al felt called to the ministry. The following September they moved to St. Paul to matriculate at Luther Seminary. Their son Douglas was born several months before that and while at the seminary, their daughter Connie and son David were born. Al was ordained into the Lutheran ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church at his home church, Romsdahl Lutheran, a part of Moe Parish at Beresford, in May of 1952.
His first parish was Walnut Grove, Minn., where another daughter, Mary, was born. Two years later, in the fall of 1954, Al was called to establish a Lutheran mission congregation in Garden Grove, Calif., and the family moved to California in January of 1955. California became their home and Al established three mission churches and served two established churches. He was a very gifted pastor and had a special knack for developing relationships and establishing congregations. He was a very creative preacher of the Gospel, a generous and loving man with a kindly spirit and a great pastoral heart.
Two more children were born in California, John in Garden Grove, and Annie in Canoga Park, completing their family of three boys and three girls. Al was always proud to say, “They came boy, girl, boy, girl, boy, girl ...”
During their ministry Al and Helen traveled extensively. They were travel guides to the Holy Land, Egypt and the journeys of St. Paul two times, and also took two groups to Oberammergau, Germany, for the beautiful “Passion Play.”
They also attended two theological summer sessions in Oxford at Mansfield College and St. Andrews, Scotland. Several other trips were taken to Norway, Sweden and the rest of Europe.
Al and Helen Jane had a wonderful, fulfilling life together, raising a family and serving Lutheran churches in California. Perhaps the most gratifying and fun place was Our Savior's Lutheran in Lafayette, Calif. These were wonderful years and a vibrant ministry. Fun things happened, such as the building of an incredible tree house in a 200-year-old oak tree. After retiring in 1985, Al served several churches as interim pastor.
They spent summers on Whitefish Lake in an A-frame cabin and wintered in Santa Rosa, Calif. The cabin became a wonderful family gathering place and Al enjoyed creative carpentry, making decks, Adirondack chairs, etc. In 1988, Al and Helen built a small log cabin together, as by this time their family of six had expanded with spouses and grandchildren and an extra area was needed for sleeping. Throughout their life, they enjoyed camping trips with the family and fishing, sitting on the deck, enjoying beautiful sunsets and the wonder of nature, boating on the lake and pulling grandchildren behind the boat on floats.
Al was a kind, loving husband, father and grandfather with a twinkle in his eye and a good sense of humor. He enjoyed good music, especially choral. With his beautiful singing voice, he always seemed to find the right notes to harmonize.
He was an avid reader and really enjoyed a good book. He also greatly enjoyed watching sporting events on television. A good theological discussion and some good laughs with his buddies were very special to him. And, of course, very special to Al were his children, their spouses and their families, all of whom he loved dearly.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his twin sister Ginny, who died in 1986; and older sister Cecile, who died in 2008.
He is survived by his loving wife, Helen Jane; his six children, Douglas, Connie, David, Mary, John and Annie, and their spouses; 14 grandchildren, Scott, Katie, Gaia, Risa, Helen ,Martin, Jacob, Clair, Molly, Andy, Isaac, Doug, Chenoah and Joseph; and three great-grandchildren, Tyler, Hayden and Will Harris; along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Al and Helen have been residents of Kalispell since 2006, when they moved from Santa Rosa. They have enjoyed the wonderful fellowship as members of Northridge Lutheran Church. Al will be remembered as a soft-spoken man with a deeply grounded faith.
Memorial services for Al will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 18, at Northridge Lutheran Church, with Pastor Dan Heskett officiating. The family suggests that memorials be given to Home Options Hospice, 430 Windward Way, Kalispell, MT 59901; Luther Theological Seminary, 2481 Como Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108; or Northridge Lutheran Church, 323 Northridge Drive, Kalispell, MT 59901. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Al's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and view Al's tribute wall.
Daily Inter Lake
February 14, 2012 at 3:03 pm
Pastor J. Elvern “Al” Rommereim passed away on Monday, Feb. 13, 2012, at his residence in Kalispell. He was born Jan. 16, 1923, with his twin sister Joyce Virginia, to Joe and Bertha Rommereim on a farm in Beresford, S.D., with only a neighbor to help. The story is told that when his father, Joe, came in from milking he dropped the pails of milk when he was told Bertha had given birth to not one baby, but a boy and a girl.
Al grew up attending a one-room schoolhouse for his first eight grades and then attended Augustana Academy, a Lutheran high school in Canton, S.D. His first year of college was spent at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, S.D. In 1942 he transferred to St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn., where he sang in the St. Olaf Choir under the direction of F. Melius Christiansen and his son Olaf. This was the final year of direction for the founder of the choir, F. Melius.
In November of 1942, Al enlisted in the Army and was assigned to the Army Specialized Training Program (ASTP). Because of the need for more soldiers on the European front, this program was closed and Al became part of the Special Troops for Tactical Deception in World War II. His division, the 3132nd, was part of the 23rd Infantry Division in Europe. Their method of deception saved thousands of lives, especially in the crossing of the Rhine River.
When the war ended, Al returned to St. Olaf College in the winter of 1946. He had a very beautiful, strong, low bass voice and again was accepted into the choir. On the choir tour to the East Coast in 1947, a romance bloomed as he started dating Helen Jane Reitmann. Very soon they knew they were destined for a life together. Following his graduation in June of 1948, Al and Helen were married in Red Wing, Minn. They settled in Boulder, Colo., where Al enrolled in graduate school, studying business and personnel administration.
In December of 1948, after much thoughtful prayer, Al felt called to the ministry. The following September they moved to St. Paul to matriculate at Luther Seminary. Their son Douglas was born several months before that and while at the seminary, their daughter Connie and son David were born. Al was ordained into the Lutheran ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church at his home church, Romsdahl Lutheran, a part of Moe Parish at Beresford, in May of 1952.
His first parish was Walnut Grove, Minn., where another daughter, Mary, was born. Two years later, in the fall of 1954, Al was called to establish a Lutheran mission congregation in Garden Grove, Calif., and the family moved to California in January of 1955. California became their home and Al established three mission churches and served two established churches. He was a very gifted pastor and had a special knack for developing relationships and establishing congregations. He was a very creative preacher of the Gospel, a generous and loving man with a kindly spirit and a great pastoral heart.
Two more children were born in California, John in Garden Grove, and Annie in Canoga Park, completing their family of three boys and three girls. Al was always proud to say, “They came boy, girl, boy, girl, boy, girl ...”
During their ministry Al and Helen traveled extensively. They were travel guides to the Holy Land, Egypt and the journeys of St. Paul two times, and also took two groups to Oberammergau, Germany, for the beautiful “Passion Play.”
They also attended two theological summer sessions in Oxford at Mansfield College and St. Andrews, Scotland. Several other trips were taken to Norway, Sweden and the rest of Europe.
Al and Helen Jane had a wonderful, fulfilling life together, raising a family and serving Lutheran churches in California. Perhaps the most gratifying and fun place was Our Savior's Lutheran in Lafayette, Calif. These were wonderful years and a vibrant ministry. Fun things happened, such as the building of an incredible tree house in a 200-year-old oak tree. After retiring in 1985, Al served several churches as interim pastor.
They spent summers on Whitefish Lake in an A-frame cabin and wintered in Santa Rosa, Calif. The cabin became a wonderful family gathering place and Al enjoyed creative carpentry, making decks, Adirondack chairs, etc. In 1988, Al and Helen built a small log cabin together, as by this time their family of six had expanded with spouses and grandchildren and an extra area was needed for sleeping. Throughout their life, they enjoyed camping trips with the family and fishing, sitting on the deck, enjoying beautiful sunsets and the wonder of nature, boating on the lake and pulling grandchildren behind the boat on floats.
Al was a kind, loving husband, father and grandfather with a twinkle in his eye and a good sense of humor. He enjoyed good music, especially choral. With his beautiful singing voice, he always seemed to find the right notes to harmonize.
He was an avid reader and really enjoyed a good book. He also greatly enjoyed watching sporting events on television. A good theological discussion and some good laughs with his buddies were very special to him. And, of course, very special to Al were his children, their spouses and their families, all of whom he loved dearly.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his twin sister Ginny, who died in 1986; and older sister Cecile, who died in 2008.
He is survived by his loving wife, Helen Jane; his six children, Douglas, Connie, David, Mary, John and Annie, and their spouses; 14 grandchildren, Scott, Katie, Gaia, Risa, Helen ,Martin, Jacob, Clair, Molly, Andy, Isaac, Doug, Chenoah and Joseph; and three great-grandchildren, Tyler, Hayden and Will Harris; along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Al and Helen have been residents of Kalispell since 2006, when they moved from Santa Rosa. They have enjoyed the wonderful fellowship as members of Northridge Lutheran Church. Al will be remembered as a soft-spoken man with a deeply grounded faith.
Memorial services for Al will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 18, at Northridge Lutheran Church, with Pastor Dan Heskett officiating. The family suggests that memorials be given to Home Options Hospice, 430 Windward Way, Kalispell, MT 59901; Luther Theological Seminary, 2481 Como Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108; or Northridge Lutheran Church, 323 Northridge Drive, Kalispell, MT 59901. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Al's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and view Al's tribute wall.
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