Pastor Arden Lee Norum

Arden Lee Norum was born on July 20, 1939, in Grand Forks, North Dakota, to Ingvald and Laura (Stave) Norum. He graduated from Oak Grove Lutheran High School in Fargo, North Dakota, in 1957. He attended Augsburg College in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he met Kathryn Faber. They were married on December 21, 1960. After college, Arden achieved his Master of Divinity degree from Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota. During this time his daughters Lori and Linda were born.
   Arden’s first call was to Nokomis Heights in Minneapolis. Next they moved to Binford, North Dakota, where he served in a three point parish. He taught himself to play guitar, a skill he used in every call the rest of his life. In 1968 Arden was called to Pontoppidan Lutheran Church in Fargo, North Dakota, where he focused on youth work. He started a car club for high school boys and girls. They built a stock car which he raced at the fairgrounds in West Fargo during the summer season. He earned the nicknames “the flying parson” and “the faster pastor.” He said he learned his race car driving skills at his three point parish in Binford when he had to make it to three worship services every Sunday morning.
   Arden always had a desire to serve in a Bible Camp setting and in 1975 he was called to United Lutheran Church in Grand Forks, North Dakota, as youth pastor and director of Shalom Bible Camp on Maple Lake in Minnesota, which the church owned.
   In 1984 Arden was called to serve as Executive Director of Luther Crest Bible Camp on Lake Carlos, north of Alexandria, Minnesota. He initiated major fund raising through an annual quilt auction, golf tournament, and capital campaigns resulting in the construction of the Adult Retreat Center, a gymnasium and storm shelter, an administrative building, and many other projects and improvements. He became involved with outdoor ministries at the national level and got to know many other camp directors who have remained his friends to this day. He retired in 2003 and started spending winters volunteering at Luther Springs Bible Camp in Florida enjoying the mild weather, being a fixer and handyman, and growing to love another camp.
    Throughout their marriage, Arden and Kathy loved to travel as a family and as empty-nesters. They visited all 48 contiguous states and Alaska in a variety of campers, including two pop ups he built himself. They enjoyed snowmobiling with relatives after the Christmas holidays and taking late winter trips to Yellowstone. They liked to fish in their boat on the Minnesota lakes and on an annual trip to Canada with fellow camp directors and pastors. They rode their motorcycle with a Saturday morning group and took it with them to Florida.
   As Kathy’s health declined Arden became her 24/7 caretaker, cooking per her instructions, cleaning, grocery shopping, and helping her with everything she needed. After her death he moved to Windmill Ponds Assisted Living where he made more friends and no longer needed to do the domestic chores.
   Arden touched many lives through his life and ministry. He was a champion for youth, young adults, music, campus ministries and especially outdoor ministries. He lived a full, rich life of service and adventure.
   Arden passed away May 3, 2024, at Alomere Hospital in Alexandria, Minnesota, at the age of 84. He is survived by his 2 daughters: Lori (Cory) Mahanna and Linda (Daryl) Timian; 4 grandchildren: Marc (Carrie) Mahanna, Sarah Timian, Michael (Meredith) Mahanna, and Eric (Amy) Timian; 2 great-granddaughters: Rebecca and Isabella Mahanna; 2 sisters and 11 brother and sister-in-laws. He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Kathy, 1 brother, and 7 brother and sister-in-laws.  The family encourages memorials be sent to Luther Crest Bible Camp, 8231 County Road 11, Alexandria MN 56308; or to Shalom Lutheran Church, 681 Voyage Drive, Alexandria MN 56308.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, May 12, 2024, 5:00 - 7:00 PM at the Anderson Funeral Home.  Visitation will continue on Monday, May 13, 2024, 10:00 - 11:00 AM at Shalom Lutheran Church in Alexandria with a Memorial Service at 11:00 AM.  Full obituary to follow.