Rev. Theodore Maakestad

The Rev. Theodore Maakestad, 102, passed away on Tuesday. June 4, 2013 at NewAldaya Lifescapes in Cedar Falls. A funeral and celebration of life service will be held at Nazareth Evangelical Lutheran Church at 7401 University Ave. in Cedar Falls at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 10, 2013. Visitation and viewing will be on Sunday, June 9 from 4 - 8 pm at Dahl-Van Hove-Schoof Funeral Home in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Burial will follow Monday afternoon in Radcliffe, Iowa. He resided in Cedar Falls since 1976, most recently at NewAldaya Lifescapes (formerly Cedar Falls Lutheran Home). Pastor Maakestad was born in Radcliffe, Iowa on October 25, 1910, the son of William and Martha (Okland) Maakestad. He attended school in Radcliffe,Iowa and graduated in 1936 from St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN with a B.A. Degree. He received a Bachelor of Theology degree from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN in 1940 and was ordained on June 16, 1940 as a pastor in the Lutheran churchthen, the Evangelical Lutheran Church (ELC), which ultimately became part of the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America). On August 23, 1940, Pastor Maakestad married Tavia Bjerkestrand, a childhood friend, in Radcliffe, Iowa. Together they made a loving and hospitable home. They were the parents of three daughters - Martha Anne, Margit Joy, and Mary Stephanie. During his decades of ministry, Pastor Maakestad served Freedom and Baker congregations in Ottawa, Illinois; Central Lutheran in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Estherville Lutheran in Estherville, Iowa; Trinity Lutheran in Brooklyn, New York; Our Saviour's Lutheran in Thunder Bay, Ontario,Canada; and Nazareth Evangelical Lutheran in Cedar Falls, Iowa. He also served as a traveling evangelist for the ELC and taught at the Lutheran Bible Institute in Teaneck, NJ. He loved the Bible and leading Bible Studies. Pastor Maakestad memorized many passages from the Psalms and often would 'review his homework' with his children. His passion was to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. After surviving tetanus at age 11, he felt a special call to give his whole life to the service of the Lord. Pastor Maakestad is survived by daughters Martha (Ray) Bailey and Margit (Ben H.) Coltvet, and by seven grandchildren: Nathan/Beth Coltvet, Sarah/David DeVan, Benjamin Theodore/Joy McDonald Coltvet, Rachel/Nels Kristenson, Deborah/Ben J. Klemme, Angela/Jeff Nasstrom, Josh Bailey, and by eighteen great-grandchildren: Adam, Marikka, Sophia & Isaac Coltvet; Thomas, Eleanor & Henry DeVan; Dinkenesh & Abenet Coltvet; Taus, Siri Tavia, Jens Theodore Kristenson; Simon & Winston Klemme; Lauren, Erica, Carson & Bailey Nasstrom as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased in death by his parents, his 13 siblings, his wife Tavia, and his daughter Mary. Memorial contributions may be made to Nazareth Evangelical Lutheran Church, NewAldaya Lifescapes, or to a charity of the donor's choice.