Harry Otto Lysgaard

Lysgaard, Harry Otto 78 09/18/1932 03/15/2011 Harry was born in Jersey City, N.J., the only son of Danish immigrants, Otto and Hedvig Lysgaard. He received his Master of Arts in sociology from Wagner College in New York, and later his divinity degree from Gettysburg Lutheran Seminary in Pennsylvania. Harry met Dorene Suthergreen in 1958 and in 1963, their son, Mark, was born. In 1966, Janice was born. As a pastor, Harry embraced liberation theology and believed that all people had the right to livable wages, strong unions and universal health care, among many other issues. Over the years, Harry served as assistant director of Wernle Children's Home in Richmond, Ind.; executive director of Louisville Lutheran Home in Louisville, Ky., and executive director of Trenton Towers in New Jersey. In 2005, Harry left the East Coast to be closer to his son in Portland. Harry loved the ocean and felt a sense of spiritual renewal walking along the beach. Harry is survived by his son, Mark Lysgaard; daughter, Janice Lutes; and grandchildren, Coreyanne, Cassidy and Ashley Lutes. A memorial service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 29, 2011, in Central Lutheran Church, 1820 N.E. 21st Ave., Portland, with a reception to follow. Donations may be made to Central Lutheran Church in Harry's name.