of Diamond City, AR
October 24, 1920 - November 11, 2013
Earl was born to William and Ruby Hedlund on October 24, 1920. Earl spent his early years in the St. Cloud, MN area where his father worked for the Northern RR. At the age of 19, while working in a Civilian Conservation Corp., he acknowledged his need for a Savior and accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior in 1939. The following year, Earl entered the St. Paul Bible Institute answering his calling to ministry. He graduated in 1943 and entered ministry as pastor of Grace Bible Chapel in Grand Rapids, MN. A year later, Earl married Rosella Flaming. They were blessed with two daughters.
In November of 1948, God called Earl to work among the Chippewa Indians in Red Lake, MN. In 1953, Earl moved to Porcupine, SD in response to God's call to minister to the Lakota Indians on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. In 1965, Rosella succumbed to cancer. Following her passing, God blessed Earl in marriage to Alice Grusing.
The couple moved to Pine Ridge in 1966, continuing their ministry to the Lakota. There, Earl and Alice were blessed with four children, as well as many other young people who fit into the family, often calling them Dad and Mom. Earl continued to serve as pastor of the Pine Ridge Gospel Mission until 1995, for a total of 42 years in South Dakota, then passing on the work to Leon and Belva Matthews.
In 1997, Earl and Alice moved to Diamond City where Earl began pastoring Cedar Heights Bible Church (later the Lighthouse Bible Church). He preached his last sermon there on November 3, 2013 at the age of 93. He remained in ministry until the day of his home-going, passing on the leadership to pastor Willie and Tanya Bousquet. Earl leaves behind a legacy of unshakeable faith and commitment to both his family and the many he pastored.
Earl is survived by his wife Alice of the home. Daughter, Mary Lou and Bill Porter of The Dells, OR, Son, Jon Hedlund of Chicago, IL, Daughter, Lois and Nagieb Labeb of Cairo, Egypt, Son, Joel and Codie Hedlund of Ewa Beach, HI, Daughter, Esther and Shawn Lowery of Pocola OK, 12 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren. He is survived by siblings Eleanore Dickhaus of Minneapolis, MN, Belva Perry of Grand Rapids, MN, and Lois Sjobeck of St. Cloud, MN. He is preceded in death by his parents, wife Rosella, daughter Ruth, brother Lloyd, and sister Ruth Galloway.
The Earl Hedlund Memorial Service will be held at the Lighthouse Bible Church in Diamond City this Saturday, November 16th at 10AM.
The Hedlund family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Lighthouse Bible Church or Gideons International. Earl had an incredible love for the Word of God and his church. Donations can be sent and made out to: Lighthouse Bible Church, 101 East Elm, Lead Hill, AR 72644. Arrangements by Roller Funeral Home.
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32 Condolence(s)
betty watters
Friday, January 10, 2014
You will be greatly missed I loved going to byron bible camp with your family.
Dana Lone Hill
Thursday, November 21, 2013
To All the Family,
My childhood was a joy because of Mr. Hedlund. I am thankful for everything every single one of you taught me. Much love, to you and God bless.
Dana
Natasha Fletcher
Monday, November 18, 2013
I was blessed to have met Pastor Earl and his wonderful family, I am truly sorry for your loss.
Elena R. Her Many Horses
Saturday, November 16, 2013
Dear Mrs. Hedlund & Family, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I was just talking about him the other day. He was such a blessing to all the members of the church here. I was so proud of him, because he took it upon hisself to relate to our people and learn our language. I was very happy when I last saw you & him, when I was working in Whiteclay. The story he told me about my Grandpa Monroe was a story I have in my heart. He will be dearly missed by all, especially me. Because, Y'all were my surrogate family. I am very thankful that he was a part of my life. You all are in my thoughts and prayers.
marj galloway
Friday, November 15, 2013
Blessings to all of Uncle Earl's family and friends who are mourning the loss of such a wondeful, faithful, Godloving man. He will be forever in our hearts and minds. Missed but never forgotten.
marj galloway
Friday, November 15, 2013
Blessings to all of Uncle Earl's family and friends who are mourning the loss of such a wondeful, faithful, Godloving man. He will be forever in our hearts and minds. Missed but never forgotten.
marj galloway
Friday, November 15, 2013
Blessings to all of Uncle Earl's family and friends who are mourning the loss of such a wondeful, faithful, Godloving man. He will be forever in our hearts and minds. Missed but never forgotten.
marj galloway
Friday, November 15, 2013
Blessings to all of Uncle Earl's family and friends who are mourning the loss of such a wondeful, faithful, Godloving man. He will be forever in our hearts and minds. Missed but never forgotten.
marj galloway
Friday, November 15, 2013
Blessings to all of Uncle Earl's family and friends who are mourning the loss of such a wondeful, faithful, Godloving man. He will be forever in our hearts and minds. Missed but never forgotten.
marj galloway
Friday, November 15, 2013
Blessings to all of Uncle Earl's family and friends who are mourning the loss of such a wondeful, faithful, Godloving man. He will be forever in our hearts and minds. Missed but never forgotten.
marj galloway
Friday, November 15, 2013
Blessings to all of Uncle Earl's family and friends who are mourning the loss of such a wondeful, faithful, Godloving man. He will be forever in our hearts and minds. Missed but never forgotten.
marj galloway
Friday, November 15, 2013
Blessings to all of Uncle Earl's family and friends who are mourning the loss of such a wondeful, faithful, Godloving man. He will be forever in our hearts and minds. Missed but never forgotten.
marj galloway
Friday, November 15, 2013
Blessings to all of Uncle Earl's family and friends who are mourning the loss of such a wondeful, faithful, Godloving man. He will be forever in our hearts and minds. Missed but never forgotten.
marj galloway
Friday, November 15, 2013
Blessings to all of Uncle Earl's family and friends who are mourning the loss of such a wondeful, faithful, Godloving man. He will be forever in our hearts and minds. Missed but never forgotten.
marj galloway
Friday, November 15, 2013
Blessings to all of Uncle Earl's family and friends who are mourning the loss of such a wondeful, faithful, Godloving man. He will be forever in our hearts and minds. Missed but never forgotten.
marj galloway
Friday, November 15, 2013
Blessings to all of Uncle Earl's family and friends who are mourning the loss of such a wondeful, faithful, Godloving man. He will be forever in our hearts and minds. Missed but never forgotten.
marj galloway
Friday, November 15, 2013
Blessings to all of Uncle Earl's family and friends who are mourning the loss of such a wondeful, faithful, Godloving man. He will be forever in our hearts and minds. Missed but never forgotten.
Dave and Wendy Ambrose
Friday, November 15, 2013
Sorry to hear of your loss. "Brother" Hedlund was a dear man. He was a mentor, someone we could look up to. Sending many hugs your way.
Dave and Wendy Ambrose
Jeannie Spence
Friday, November 15, 2013
Kenny and I and Tyler loved him very much. He was an AWESOME man of GOD. He was always reading his bible. Always had a special word from what he called THE GOOD BOOK. Loved playing scrabble.
He baptiszed me. Prayers for the family.
John & Doris DiPasquale
Friday, November 15, 2013
We know he was a wonderful man of God and rejoice in that he is finally seeing his Savior face-to-face and able to worship Him fully. Our hearts and prayers are with the family as they adjust to life without him; it will be difficult, I am sure. How amazing to think of his receiving God's "well done, faithful servant"!! May the Lord's grace, comfort and peace be very real to each of you. We love you.
Tom & Esther Harmon
Friday, November 15, 2013
Alice and family--
We are saddened by Earl's passing but rejoice with you that he is Home with his Lord. What a faithful servant he was to the Native peoples and to all of us, but always to the LORD! We pray that God will comfort you in this difficult time.
--Tom and Esther
Priscilla Tadres
Friday, November 15, 2013
No one I know taught me so much abt God and His love for people like you did. I miss you and it breaks my heart not being able to sent you emails anymore and get one back, reminding me that you pray for me every day, that God is bigger than anything and i shall not fear.
As you are w/ our Savior, having the feast of your life! Im so full of joy for you as I'm still here trying to keep going in my faith w/ Jesus.
I miss you so much, your swiss/egyptain granddaughter <3
Larry Buss
Friday, November 15, 2013
May The Lord bless you and keep you. May he comfort you and be ever so near you in a special & significant way.
Natalie Lame
Thursday, November 14, 2013
I WILL ALWAYS HAVE MY MEMORIES OF MR HEDLUND HE WAS A GOOD HEARTED PERSON I WILL MISS HIM SO MUCH I WISHED MY CHILDREN GOT TO MEET HIM GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY
Tom & Retha Anderson
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Scripture and Bible-related stories flowed from the lips of Mr. Earl Hedlund as smoothly and naturally as water flows down a peaceful but lively river. Doing that was his life and his motivating force. It was as if it required no effort at all to voice all those thoughts in a simple and straightforward manner, but the significance of the words carried its own power. His respectful delivery placed his messages with gentle hands, to be heard and acted upon according to each person's freewill, and without judgment on his part. He made clear what it all meant to him, and what he believed it could mean to all. But the love and respect that continued to flow from him had no prerequisites; he would love and respect everyone forever. He will be remembered. Our thoughts are with all the family. --Tom & Retha Anderson
Naomi Belile
Thursday, November 14, 2013
My sincere condolences to the Hedlund family. I have many fond memories of Mr. Hedlund when he and his family were in Pine Ridge. Thank you Mr. H. and Mrs. H. for all you've done for my family and I, and so many others. You all are the most humble, loving, Christian people I've ever known. Until we meet again in that Great Blue Yonder, rest in peace.
Huron Claus
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Many wonderful memories of Earl and the compassion he had for Native Peoples. He left a great example of the love of Christ for all! Our prayers are with Alice and all the family in this time!
Joy Boulos
Thursday, November 14, 2013
We pray that in this time of loss, you'll feel God's love much more and that you'll find your comfort
In the presence of the Lord. We love you!
From the Boulos Family
Mancinelli Family
Thursday, November 14, 2013
We are forever indebted to Pastor Earl for the unquestionable acceptance he showed to our family. Through all of the bad times that our family has known the one constant was the Love that Pastor Earl showed to our family. Pastor Earl certainly helped to save our family and more so my husband's life. We will forever be grateful for the interest that Pastor Earl and Sister Alice showed in getting our family on the right path so we can all celebrate together again in the magical Kingdom that awaits us.
lolita coronel
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Thank you for the time we spent i love you all God bless
janice kendrick
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Till we meet again, Rest In Peace, Rejoice in His presence.
Ondria medina
Thursday, November 14, 2013
We will never forget you Pastor Earl! Thank you for loving my dear family as your own! You taught us so much!