Roy Andrew Bredholt

Roy's service will be livestreamed here: https://online.atonement.live/

Roy's tribute video can be viewed here. https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/JSR56DB6LSZCHF92

Roy Andrew Bredholt was the fourth and last child of Andrew & Cecilie (Gundersen) Bredholt, immigrants from Norway in the early 1900's, Roy was born April 30, 1927, in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, NY. He was baptized and confirmed in Trinity Lutheran Church, Brooklyn, NY.

After High School, Roy served in the US Marine Corps (1945-46) and was honorably discharged at the end of World War II. He attended Wagner Memorial Lutheran College, Staten lsland, New York City graduating cum laude 3½ years later.

In December 1956, he married Lillian Larsen at Trinity Lutheran where she, too, had been baptized and confirmed. Prompted by the Holy Spirit as committed followers of Jesus, Roy & Lil prayed for God's direction as to how to best fulfill God’s will for their lives as they served in different capacities at Trinity. During this time, they were blessed with the birth of two children: Roy, Jr., and Jeanne. In 1960, they answered God's call for Roy to attend Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN to prepare for serving as an ordained pastor in the American Lutheran Church (ALC). Roy graduated from seminary in 1963. That same year he was called as Pastor of First Lutheran Church, Portland, ME. While serving in Maine, their son, Paul, was born.

After 7 years in Portland, following God’s calling, Roy served as pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Philadelphia, PA; Trinity Lutheran in Grand Forks, ND; Leeds Lutheran in Leeds, ND; First Lutheran in Valley City, ND. In 1981, Roy in consultation with the ALC Bishop began a "tent-making" ministry while also leasing/operating an Amoco Service Station in Fargo. During this time and subsequently to it, Roy served as part-time pastor to Hastings & North LaMoure, ND; Pontoppidan Lutheran in Fargo; and BZV Parish in McLeod, ND. Following formal retirement in 1994, he served extensively as pulpit supply, conducting Worship and Bible studies and visitation. Also using weekly Bible texts, he wrote and sent out E-mail devotionals for 5 years; prepared and led innumerable Bible Studies and leadership groups. Roy also served as volunteer Ombudsman (ND Social Service) at Rosewood and Elim Nursing Homes; served on the Board of Chinese International Christian Ministries (NDSU) and Lutherans for Life publicity. He also delivered Meals on Wheels (1996-2010) and served on the Valley Senior Services Board of directors (2009-2012). Roy and Lillian joined Atonement Lutheran Church, Fargo in 2009 and Roy became a retired clergy member of LCMC (Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ).

Roy strove to live a life of thankfulness and joy, based on his awareness of our loving Father in Heaven whose grace knows no bounds and the awesome fact of His plan of salvation provided through the life, death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus. A favorite verse of his spoken by John the Baptist served as constant reminder of what life should be about: "He (Jesus) must increase but I must decrease"-John 3:30.

Roy was preceded in death by two infant daughters Christine and Elizabeth and his oldest son, Roy, Jr.; his parents; brother Olaf (Brooklyn, NY); sister Anne (San Diego, CA)

Roy is survived by his loving and faithful wife of 65 years, Lillian (Larsen); and sister Ruth Knudsen (Brooklyn, NY); Children: Jeanne Evelyn (David) Jachim, Seattle, WA; Paul Lars (LeAnne Barnes) Bredholt, Woodbridge, VA; eight grandchildren: Drew, Elaine and Mario Bredholt; Theodore and Louis Jachim; and Megan, Katherine (Sean) Richards; April Bredholt. And three great-grandchildren: Wyatt Campbell, Samuel and Clementine Richards.

Funeral Service: 2pm, Friday, September 16, 2022 at Atonement Lutheran Church, Fargo, ND with a visitation one hour prior.

Burial: Riverside Cemetery, Fargo, ND

Arrangements entrusted to Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home – Fargo, ND