Pastor Andreas A. Øfstedal, ordained 1881.  Norwegian Synod 1881-1888, Antimissouri, 1888-1890, United (Lutheran) Church, 1890-1910.

  Born in Voss, Hordaland, Norway Sep 1, 1855, Ofstedal. His parents were Anders Ø and Agathe A. (nee Lavik).  Immigrated to the US in 1871, He attended LutherCollege from 1874-1878 and Luther Seminary from 1878-1881. 

Pastor at Fertile MN, 1881-1892; Moorhead MN, 1892-1897; Chicago IL, 1897-1900; Fertile MN, 1900-1910. Manager of the pension fund from 1910-1911; manager from 1911-current; Secretary of missions in the US and financial secretary for finance 1911-1912; Chicago Nursing School administrator, 1912-current; St. Olaf Board of Trustees; Chairman of Mission committee, School committee, Donation committee; Chairman of the Board, Lake Park Children's Home; Editor "Diakonissen," 1912-current.

Married Mathilda Bronsa, 1891.  She died in 1896.  Married Mathilde E. Mortenson, 1898.

From "Norsk Lutherske Prester i America" (Norwegian Lutheran Pastors in America)

by O M Norlie
©1915

From the Trinity Lutheran Church newsletter (Moorhead MN) as reprinted in "Concordia News" April 2006:

 He and his second wife served Trinity as well as the Concordia and Zion congregations from 1892 to 1897. He was the first pastor of Trinity to actually reside in Moorhead.

  After leaving Trinity, he served parishes in Chicago, Fertile, MN., and Bend, OR., until his retirement. He was active in missions, served on hospitals boards and was education director for Concordia and St. Olaf colleges. He died in 1930 at the age of 75.

  It was said that Ofstedal was a man of rare tact, and he wouldn’t sacrifice his principles for the sake of peace. “He had a sunny disposition” and was an optimist who believed that even the most difficult problem could be solved by faith in God.

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