Rev. Ariel R. Molldrem

Ariel R. Molldrem was called to his heavenly home on November 5, 2007, at the age of 96 years. He was born on August 24, 1911, in Northfield, MN, the son of Andrew O. B. and Anna (Larson) Molldrem. Then, over the years, the family moved to Minneapolis (MN) Starbuck, (Manitoba) Winchester (WI) and Scandinavia (WI). He attended a one-room schoolhouse, then a four-room grade school, and graduated as valedictorian from Scandinavia Academy. In 1929, they moved to Gary (MN) and Ariel attended and graduated from Concordia College, graduating magna cum laude in 1933. He then attended Luther Theological Seminary, St. Paul (MN) graduating with top honors with a B.Th. in 1937. He was married to Esther Luella Grindland, RN, a graduate of St. Luke's School of Nursing, Fargo (ND) on June 7, 1937. Three sons were born to them, Robert, Nathan and Mark.
Plans to sail for China as missionaries under the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America were frustrated by the invasion of Japan into China. So, he served the Sandwich-Plano-Millbrook parish (IL); then, Medill Avenue Lutheran Church (Chicago, IL). While in Chicago, the congregation built a new church, the only church that was built in the U.S. during World War II. In 1948, the family moved to Beloit (WI) where Ariel served as senior pastor at Our Savior's for twelve years. In 1960, the family moved to Moorhead (MN) where he served for 22 years on the pastoral staff of Our Savior's Lutheran Church, retiring in 1982. His wife, Esther, died of cancer in February, 1977.
On June 3, 1978, he married Miss Myrtle Sellie of Austin (MN) with whom a friendship had developed when both were students at Concordia College. Both enjoyed traveling abroad (especially in Norway visiting relatives there) and spending winters in Florida. She died of ALS on January 3, 2003.
Baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith, Ariel sought to faithfully serve his Lord Jesus Christ through the public ministry of the church. Throughout the years, Ariel also enjoyed woodworking, stamp collecting, leading Bible studies, hosting missionaries from around the world, writing the family genealogy and traveling. He received many blessings through his long life, just as he sought to be a blessing for many throughout the years.
His parents, a sister and three brothers preceded him in death. Surviving are three sons, Pastor A. Robert (Gloria) Molldrem, Prior Lake, MN; Dr. Nathan (Nancy) Molldrem, Eau Claire WI; Rev. Dr. Mark (Shirley) Molldrem, Beaver Dam, WI; 9 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren; 6 sisters-in-law, Doris Hinderaker (Morris, IL), Alma Molldrem (Moorhead), Fern (Herbert) Sellie (Everett, WA), Margarethe (Clifford) Sellie (Northbrook, IL), Signe Sellie Haugseth (WA), Ruth (Don) Cox (Mercer Island, WA); two brothers-in-law, John (Carol) Sellie (Cathy, ND) and Conrad (Nancy) Sellie (Fessenden, ND); nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Molldrem-Sellie Lutheran College Scholarship or the Molldrem-Larson Seminary Scholarship, both at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Moorhead, or the Stained Glass Window Fund at Lutheran Church of the Good
Memorial service: Saturday, December 15, 2007, at 2 PM at The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Moorhead. A fellowship luncheon for all will be served following the service.
Burial will follow the lunch at Riverside Cemetery, Moorhead.