Rev. Norman R. Prestbye, 88
Rev. Norman R. Prestbye, 88, died Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2004, at Tacoma Lutheran Home in Tacoma, Wash.
He was born Nov. 16, 1916, in Kalispell, the son of Abraham and Clara (Gilbertson) Prestbye. He attended elementary schools in Kalispell and graduated from Flathead County High School in 1934 (Commemorative diploma June 5, 1994).
He attended St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn., and received his bachelor of arts degree in 1942. He attended Luther Theological Seminary in St. Paul, Minn., and was a candidate of theology in 1945 and received a Bachelor of Theology in absentia in 1953. He was ordained into the Lutheran Ministry on Feb. 11, 1945, by Dr. L.N. Field at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Kalispell.
On Feb. 15, 1945, he was united in marriage to Catherine Stedje at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Kalispell. He served parishes at Polson - Ronan, 1945-1950; Culbertson - Bainville, 1950-1956; Clarkston, Wash., 1956-1964; and Canby, Ore.,1964-1981.
He retired Nov. 30, 1981. He served as associate and interim pastor after his retirement at Woodburn, Ore. Following retirement they lived in Lakeside, Beaverton, Ore., Woodburn, Kalispell, Mukilteo, Wash., and Tacoma, Wash.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Catherine Sophia (Stedje) Prestbye of Tacoma; his son, Fergus N. Prestbye and wife, Jane, of Kent, Wash.; his daughter, Arletta Anderson and husband, Roger, of Mukilteo; three granddaughters, Dayna Steringer of Portland, Amanda Brunaugh of Puyallup, Wash., and Brita Anderson of Naperville, Ill.; grandsons, Erik and Kyle; two sisters, BethAdele Beller of Kalispell, and Alta Gaarder of Pierre, S.D.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 3, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church with Pastor Larry Stappler officiating. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time at the church. Burial will follow at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery.
The family suggests that memorial contributions be sent to Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 603 S. Main St., Kalispell, MT 59901; or the Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn.; or St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minn.
Arrangements are under the direction of Johnson Mortuary and Crematory.