Rev. Ivan B. Fagre

• 

Fagre, Rev. Ivan B. age 90, of Northfield, passed away Oct 26, 2014. He is remembered for his lifetime of service as a teacher, missionary and pastor and as a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. He was born in Finlayson, MN to Christian and Emma Easton Fagre and graduated from Park Rapids High School. He served in World War II with the 103rd Infantry Division and was wounded in action in Germany. He received the Combat Infantryman's Badge, Purple Heart and Silver Star. Ivan graduated from St. Olaf College in 1948 and later earned advanced degrees from Luther Theological Seminary and Princeton Theological Seminary. Ivan worked for the Lutheran World Federation refugee services in Germany from 1949 to 1951, the last year as American Zone Director. After his ordination, he became a missionary in Tokyo with the Evangelical Lutheran Church where he served for nine years. Returning to the US in 1968, he served as the training director for Lutheran missionaries and worked in the areas of international mission and development in St. Paul and New York. In 1977 he accepted a call as pastor with the Bavarian Church in Berchtesgaden, Germany. At the end of his career, he joined the St. Olaf faculty in the religion department. Survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Polly (Albertson); children Daniel (Ann) Fagre; Nathan (Connie) Fagre; Anitra (Tom) Waldo; Leslie (Eric) Poppele; and Ingrid (Kent) Fagre-Miller; grandchildren, Casey (Matt) Kohn; Danielle Fagre; Lars Waldo; Nick (Hannah) Waldo; Mats, Christian, Alex and Ben Fagre; Jasper and Eli Poppele; and Justin Miller, and nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his parents, and by siblings Ed, Irene (Mielke), El (Corchran), Pearl (Nicklawske), Oswald and Len. A memorial service will be held at a future date in Northfield. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lutheran World Relief, PO Box 17061, Baltimore, MD 21297-1061, or at lwr.org/…

Published on November 1, 2014