obituaries

The Rev. Thomas Herbranson gained the ear of worshipers by singing his sermons from the pulpit. That was one of the affable traits of the outgoing and gregarious pastor who had a passion for missions and music and a great love for those he served.

"He had a big booming voice and often he'd come into the office for a meeting and announce his presence in song," said the Rev. Paul Nelson, who took over as senior pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Eden Prairie when Herbranson retired in 1999. "He loved music and it was always a huge part of the program or worship service."

He learned the ministry of grace and hospitality from his parents, who ran hotels, and he brought that to congregations in Mexico City, Winona, Minn., White Bear Lake, St. Louis Park and Eden Prairie, Nelson said.

Herbranson had recently fallen and broken a blood vessel in his brain. He died last Friday at Fairview Southdale Hospital in Edina. He was 75.

Herbranson graduated from high school in Bagley, Minn., and sang in the choir and with ensembles at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn. After graduating, he earned a theology degree from Luther Seminary in St. Paul and was ordained in 1960. Fluent in Spanish, Herbranson did an internship in Venezuela and in the 1960s served the bilingual Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Mexico City. A highlight was leading prayers when the summer Olympics were held in Mexico City in 1968, said his wife, Marlene, of Lakeville.

Over the years, he led several mission trips to Mexico under a program called AMEXTRA, Nelson said.

After his time in Mexico, he was pastor at Central Lutheran Church in Winona and Christ the King Lutheran Church in White Bear Lake. Herbranson served at Westwood Lutheran Church in St. Louis Park from the mid 1980s to 1989, then finished his career at Immanuel Lutheran in Eden Prairie. Under his leadership, Immanuel grew from about 1,300 to 1,800 people, and Herbranson gained the trust of people who felt they could go to him for advice and guidance, said his son, Mark, of Moorhead, Minn.

"He always had a smile on his face and always had time to listen," said Linda Niemeyer, an Immanuel member from Minnetonka. "He cared deeply about the members of his church."

Herbranson lent his baritone voice to the Aquatennial's Aquafollies in the 1950s, and in more recent years he shared his faith as a member of the Augsburg Centennial Singers, a men's choral group. He also was a gifted writer and once worked as a speech writer for then-Gov. Al Quie, Nelson said.

In his spare time, Herbranson enjoyed playing golf and coaching his children's athletic teams. He also enjoyed relaxing at the family cabin near Detroit Lakes, Minn.

In addition to his wife and son, Herbranson is survived by two daughters, Sara Herbranson of Norwood Young America, Minn., and Mary Skie of Elko New Market, Minn.; a brother, Kai of Phoenix; two sisters, Carol Jean Bordsen of Yuba City, Calif. and Kari Jo Hanson of Moorhead; two stepdaughters, Renee Bowman of Elko New Market and Kim Hamilton of St. Michael, Minn.; two stepsons, Jeff Johnson of Denver and Blase Burger of Mankato, Minn., and 12 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife of 32 years, Gwendolyn.

Services have been held.