Mary Elizabeth Hinderlie

Hinderlie Mary Elizabeth, age 88 of Stockholm,WI, died Mon, April 7, 2003 at Pepin Manor in Pepin, WI. She was born Dec. 29, 1914 in Moorhead, MN to Johan & Ragnhild (Hoyme) Aasgaard. She graduated from Washburn H.S. in Minneapolis, received a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Olaf College in Northfield, and a Master of Arts degree from the Univ. of MN. She then served as Assistant Dean of Women at St. Olaf College. Mary married Carrol Luther Hinderlie July 9, 1939 at the Old Muskego Church in St. Paul. The couple sailed to Olso, Norway in the fall of 1939 to do post-graduate work. When Germany invaded in April 1940 they escaped through Sweden to Italy. They were called to mission work in China in 1941. While studying Chinese in the Philippines the war caught up with them again and they were interned as POWs of the Japanese. Upon liberation in 1945 they returned to the United States where they continued their studies and served parishes in Wisconsin, Iowa, South Dakota, and Mpls. During this time, Mary raised her family. The family spent three years in Europe while Carroll was a Fulbright Scholar. Mary taught English at Augsburg College in Mpls in the early 1960's. From 1963 until 1977 she was program director while Carroll was director at Holden Village, the Lutheran retreat center in Washington where they enlivened so many in Gospel-centered conversation, controversy and spirited community life. Mary also served on the faculty of Mount Carmel Retreat Center in Alexandria, MN. Following retirement, the couple served parishes in Texas, Washington, and Alberta, Canada. They moved to Stockholm in 1990 where they became active members of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Pepin. Carroll died in 1992. During the 1960's, the Christian Century named Mary one of the top theologians in North America. Mary loved books, language, and reading her Greek New Testament. She taught Latin to her grandchildren. She loved the life of the imagination. She cared deeply for everyone who entered her life and so many became part of her extended family. We all thank God for her life. Mary is survived by 6 children & 14 grandchildren. A funeral service celebrating Mary's life will be held on Thursday, April 10, 2003 at 1 PM at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Pepin with the Rev. Karna Baseman Stark officiating. Interment will be in Old Settlers Cemetery in Hovland, MN. The casket bearers will be her grandchildren. Friends may call at the church on Thursday from 11 AM on. The family welcomes memorials to Mount Carmel Ministries, Immanuel Lutheran Church or the Division for Global Mission - ELCA. Arr. Abbott Fun-eral Home,Wabasha, MN.

Published on April 9, 2003