Elden Landvik

Elden Ole Landvik, 92, died peacefully on July 3, 2017 at Solvay Hospice House surrounded by loving family members.

Elden was born October 8, 1924 in Milan, MN to Ole and Elnora (Kittelson) Landvik. He grew up in a tight-knit Norwegian farming community surrounded by cousins who were playmates and best friends. Humor and practical jokes provided cheap entertainment in their youth and years of great story telling and memories to be enjoyed later in life.  Upon graduating from high school, Elden joined the Navy in 1943, was trained as a pilot and flew the F-4 Wildcat and the F4U Corsair. Following WWII, he attended Augsburg College and Luther Seminary on the GI Bill and was ordained into the ministry on May 17, 1953.  He was called to serve his first parish in Gully, MN.

Elden married Lila Helland of Virginia, MN on Nov. 5, 1955.  He was then called to serve a two –point parish in Hazel Run and Bergen, MN in 1956. In 1958 Elden, Lila and their first-born son, Erik, moved to Brazil as part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church’s first team of missionaries to that country.  Their children Kari, Kirsten, Evan and Lisa were born during this time.  They cherish those years in Brazil and the friendships forged there.  In 1967 the family had moved back to the U.S. when Elden received a call to Nashwauk Lutheran Church and served there until his retirement in 1986.  Elden then served as a part-time visitation pastor at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Virginia, MN. In 2004 Elden and Lila moved to Duluth, MN.

A thoughtful and sensitive man, Elden enjoyed writing poetry, especially regarding matters of faith. He had a wry and self-effacing sense of humor that endeared him to friends and strangers alike. Although he was a “preacher”, the way he lived his life spoke more than any words.

Elden is preceded in death by his parents, Ole and Elnora Landvik, sisters Gladys Raberge and Edith Kleven, and brothers Glen and Norman Landvik.

Elden is survived by his wife, Lila, his children Erik (Dawn) of Windsor, CO, Kari (Steve) VandenHeuvel of North Branch, Kirsten (John) Ryden of Duluth, Evan (Charlotte) of Westminster, CO and Lisa (Randy) Landvik-Geyen of Northfield, grandchildren Brie (David), Kara (Sven), Adam (Laura), Marc (Aisha)  Jill,  Anders,  Niels, Tyler, Carson, Elena,  Mary Charlotte, Grace and Caroline, and great-grandchildren Alex , Owen , Bergen, Ahren, Tova , Leif , Finn along with numerous nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Hyjek for his excellent care of Elden through the years, the staff and volunteers at Solvay Hospice House and especially Elden’s home hospice care team for their extraordinary, loving care in his final days.

A celebration of life and faith will be held at Peace in Christ Lutheran Church, 5007 Maple Grove Rd in Hermantown on Sunday, July 16, 2017 at 1:00pm with visitation one hour before the service.  Memorials may be given to Peace in Christ Lutheran Church which has become Elden and Lila’s much beloved church home.  Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home.  600 E. 2nd St., Duluth, MN 55805.  218-727-3555.