Title

Photo of Rev. Gerhard O. & Astrid Forde

Creation Date

1917 – 1961

Description

Photo of Rev. Gerhard O. & Astrid Forde in dup white rectangular frame. Indherred Lutheran Church. Gerhard O. Forde, son of Rev. Nils Forde, served faithfully from 1917 to 1961. Born at Amherst, Wisconsin in 1884, he graduated from Luther Seminary and was ordained in 1912. Prior to returning to Starbuck he served in Glenville, Minnesota from 1912 to 1917. His first wife, Hannah H. Halvorson who he married in 1925, was killed in a tragic automobile accident in 1928 leaving him with two young sons, Nels and Gerhard. In 1938 he married Astrid Flack. She was a gifted organist and continued to play and accompany on organ or piano at most worship services, ladies aid meetings, choir practices and other church functions, only taking minimal weeks off at the births of their six children. She retired as full time organist in 1992. Rev. G. O. Forde served as choir director, regularly attended the women's afternoon meetings and the Luther League family nights. During his years the use of Norwegian was gradually replaced by English language worship. He retired from parish ministry in 1961 and served as Minnewaska Lutheran Home chaplain. He died Dec. 30, 1964 after 52 years of Christian service