Erik Paul Jelinek

Erik Paul Jelinek was born on May 5, 1971 in Bangkok, Thailand to Dwayne and Janet (Hinckley) Jelinek. Erik grew up in Billings, Montana, graduating from Billings Senior High School in 1989. At Gustavus Adolphus College, Erik played rugby, was a part of the Omega Kappa fraternity, and graduated with majors in religion and political science. Feeling a call to ministry, Erik attended Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, graduating with a Master of Divinity degree in 1997. He was ordained a pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and served First Lutheran Church in Savage, MT and Grace Lutheran Church in Skaar, ND.

Erik married Jennifer Dorr on Sept 23, 2000, and together, they had two daughters – Sierra and Scarlett. They served as co-pastors in Conrad, MT for 3 years and Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Beloit, WI for over 12 years. He served as Director for Evangelical Mission for the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin for over 4 years, after which he served as pastor of Central Lutheran Church in Edgerton until his disability retirement in 2024. Erik was passionate about preaching the Gospel and helping people build relationships with God and one another.

Throughout his life, Erik enjoyed hunting, hiking, and traveling the world with his family. Having gone through a 31-year journey of sobriety, he was passionate about helping others who were struggling with addiction issues. Diagnosed with ALK+ lung cancer in 2010, Erik wrote the book "Blessed in the Midst of Trial" to help himself and others cope with cancer diagnoses. His miraculous 15-year cancer journey has been an inspiration to many.

Erik was predeceased by his father, Dwayne Jelinek. He is survived by his wife Jennifer, beloved daughters Sierra and Scarlett, mother Janet Jelinek, sister Kristi Montas, nieces Krystal and Kyrsten Montas, parents-in-law Joe and Dottie Dorr, extended family, and many friends and colleagues.

A visitation and reception will be held on September 5 from 4:00-7:00 p.m., and from 10 a.m. on September 6 with a Memorial Service at 11:00 a.m., both at Grace Lutheran Church in Cambridge WI. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given for cancer research to alkpositive.org or to the church of your choice.