A. G. "Gib" Fjellman, Former Lutheran Bishop, Dies

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Anel G. "Gib" Fjellman, 82, bishop of the Pacific Northwest Synod of the former Lutheran Church in America (LCA) from 1962 to 1983, died Jan. 20 at a Seattle hospital from complications of pneumonia.  Prior to becoming bishop, Fjellman served six years as regional director of American Missions for the former Augustana Lutheran Church.
     In his mission work with the Augustana Lutheran Church, Fjellman assisted new congregations in Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.
     In 1988 the LCA, The American Lutheran Church and the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches merged to form the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).  Fjellman was a retired ELCA pastor.
     He remained active in the Lutheran church following his service as bishop.  Fjellman was chair of the LCA's Division for Professional leadership, an ELCA world mission interpreter, director of continuing education at Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, Wash., and a member of the ELCA Appeals Committee.
     Pacific Lutheran is one of 28 colleges and universities of the ELCA.
     Fjellman served as interim president at several church institutions, including Luther Northwestern Theological Seminary, (now Luther Seminary) St. Paul, Minn.; Lutheran Bible Institute, Issaquah, Wash.; and Trinity Lutheran Theological Seminary, Columbus, Ohio.
     He organized "Pacific Northwest Lutheran History Days" held twice
     annually since 1992.
     Fjellman, born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, attended Augustana College, Rock Island, Ill., from 1938 to 1942.  He completed his seminary education at Augustana Lutheran Seminary, Rock Island, in 1945. Following his ordination in Moline, Ill., Fjellman served congregations in Sun Valley, Calif., and Duluth, Minn.
     Fjellman is survived by his wife, Cecilia; daughter, Ruth; son, Jon; sister, Burnice;  brother, Carl; and three grandchildren.   He was a member of Magnolia Lutheran Church, Seattle.
     Memorial services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Jan. 29 at Gethsemane Lutheran Church, Seattle.  Memorial gifts may be given to the Millionair Club Charity, Seattle, or to the scholarship fund of Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, Berkeley, Calif.

[*Information for this story was supplied by Donene V. Blair, executive
assistant, ELCA Northwest Washington Synod, Seattle.]

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