Rev. Arthur Grimstad

Arthur Henry Grimstad was born on November 15, 1918, in North Bend, OR, and died at age 95 on December 7, 2013, in Moorhead, MN, at his daughter's home. He was the third of five children of Norwegian immigrant parents.

Arthur was an industrious child. He became a paperboy for The Oregonian, sold magazines, and worked in the local grocery store. After junior high, his family moved to Seattle, WA, where he graduated from Broadway High School and worked for the Safeway supermarket chain. He then attended Seattle Business College.

At age twenty, Arthur accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior, and was involved in many Christian groups. Arthur attended Seattle Pacific College (now University), and was elected Student Religious Director. It was there that he met Esther Bekker of Everett, WA, and they were married June 4, 1943. They moved to Dallas, TX, where Arthur attended Dallas Theological Seminary, from 1943 to 1945. He completed his theological degree at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN, in 1946.

Arthur was called to a parish in Strum, WI, and was there for three years. They returned to Dallas where he received his Master of Sacred Theology degree at Dallas Theological Seminary. Arthur and his family then moved to McIntosh, MN, where he served in several local parishes.
In 1953, Arthur and Esther moved to Moorhead, where they raised their five children. Arthur began a career at Concordia College in Moorhead, in the Religion Department. During the 38 years he was at Concordia, he taught religion, raised funds for the college as the executive secretary of the C-400 Club and also as the director of Deferred Giving. He also advised Christian outreach teams that traveled nationally and internationally. While at Concordia, Arthur continued his involvement in small town and rural churches, including churches in Wyndmere, DeLamere, Halstad, Pelican Rapids, Argusville (Osterdalen), and Perley (Bethania).

For over 30 years, Arthur led Bible studies for business and professional men. This grew into a counseling ministry called "The Listening Ear." Arthur accompanied Billy Graham to Finland as his Lutheran consultant, and accompanied Luis Palau to Sweden and Romania for evangelical meetings. On behalf of the World Mission Department of the Lutheran Church, he traveled to seven nations in Oceania. While living at Edgewood Vista in Fargo, Arthur conducted weekly worship services in their chapel.

An avid traveler, Arthur visited 30 countries in his lifetime. Like his mother and siblings, Arthur enjoyed flower gardening. He was particularly fond of roses.

Arthur was preceded in death by his parents, Edvard and Hansine; his wife of nearly 69 years, Esther; his brothers, Edwin and Harold; and his sister, Sigrun.

He is survived by three sons, Paul (Robbie) Grimstad, South Bend, IN, Stephen (Janet) Grimstad, Minneapolis, MN, and John (Laurel Holschuh) Grimstad, Edina, MN; two daughters, Ruth (Max) Peters, Citrus Heights, CA, and Mary E. Larson, Moorhead; fifteen grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; a sister, Helen Bortvedt, Sequim, WA, two sisters-in-law, Betty and Nancy Grimstad; a number of nieces and nephews; and Doug Larson, a special friend.

The family requests that memorials be given to the World Mission Prayer League of Minneapolis, MN.

Visitation Friday, December 13, 2013, from 3 - 7 PM, with a prayer service at 6 PM in Korsmo Funeral Chapel, Moorhead.

Funeral Saturday, Dec. 14, 2013, at 11 AM, in Atonement Lutheran Church, Fargo.