wfn.org | A. G. "Gib" Fjellman, Former Lutheran Bishop, Dies

[News News <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

January 26, 2000

A. G. "GIB" FJELLMAN, FORMER LUTHERAN BISHOP, DIES
00-20-JB/DB*

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Anel G. "Gib" Fjellman, 82, bishop of
the Pacific Northwest Synod of the former Lutheran Church in America
(LCA) from 1962 to 1983, died Jan. 20 at a Seattle hospital from
complications of pneumonia.  Prior to becoming bishop, Fjellman served
six years as regional director of American Missions for the former
Augustana Lutheran Church.
     In his mission work with the Augustana Lutheran Church, Fjellman
assisted new congregations in Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana,
Oregon and Washington.
     In 1988 the LCA, The American Lutheran Church and the Association
of Evangelical Lutheran Churches merged to form the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America (ELCA).  Fjellman was a retired ELCA pastor.
     He remained active in the Lutheran church following his service as
bishop.  Fjellman was chair of the LCA's Division for Professional
leadership, an ELCA world mission interpreter, director of continuing
education at Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, Wash., and a member of
the ELCA Appeals Committee.
     Pacific Lutheran is one of 28 colleges and universities of the
ELCA.
     Fjellman served as interim president at several church
institutions, including Luther Northwestern Theological Seminary, (now
Luther Seminary) St. Paul, Minn.; Lutheran Bible Institute, Issaquah,
Wash.; and Trinity Lutheran Theological Seminary, Columbus, Ohio.
     He organized "Pacific Northwest Lutheran History Days" held twice
     annually since 1992.
     Fjellman, born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, attended Augustana College,
Rock Island, Ill., from 1938 to 1942.  He completed his seminary
education at Augustana Lutheran Seminary, Rock Island, in 1945.
Following his ordination in Moline, Ill., Fjellman served congregations
in Sun Valley, Calif., and Duluth, Minn.
     Fjellman is survived by his wife, Cecilia; daughter, Ruth; son,
Jon; sister, Burnice;  brother, Carl; and three grandchildren.   He was
a member of Magnolia Lutheran Church, Seattle.
     Memorial services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Jan. 29 at Gethsemane
Lutheran Church, Seattle.  Memorial gifts may be given to the Millionair
Club Charity, Seattle, or to the scholarship fund of Pacific Lutheran
Theological Seminary, Berkeley, Calif.

[*Information for this story was supplied by Donene V. Blair, executive
assistant, ELCA Northwest Washington Synod, Seattle.]

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