of Little Rock, AR
September 9, 1936 - April 2, 2025
E. Lars Gren finished his race peacefully at the Hospice Home Care in Little Rock, Arkansas on Wednesday, April 2, 2025 surrounded by his loving caregivers.
Lars was the second child born to first generation Scandinavian immigrants Edmar and Ingrid Mosby Gren in Huntington, Long Island, NY on September 9, 1936. Lars's birth was marked by an incredibly rare event. He was born en caul, veiled at birth within his own amniotic sac. Legend has it deemed for a ''special destiny'' in this world. Lars's parents were so proud of the circumstance that they kept the sac in a bottle which remains to this day.
Shortly after Lars turned 2 his family set sail for Kristiansand, Norway to celebrate Christmas with his maternal grandparents. It had been decided that Ingrid's parents would care for Lars for a season. In March of 1939 Lars parents and sister returned to New York without him. Sadly as WWII escalated in Europe, Germany invaded Norway the following year, Lars and his grandparents would come under Nazi occupation for the duration of the war. Hence Lars would remain for the next 7 years with his beloved ''Far & Mor'' on Norwegian soil, becoming fully ingrained in his Norwegian heritage and culture.
In August of 1946, a year after the war ended and just shy of his 10th Birthday, Lars was placed on a ship ''The Stavangerfjord''. Alone and unable to speak any other language but Norwegian, Lars made the 10-day journey across the ocean that would forever change his life and temperament. Unable to process the events of trauma and abuse he endured, he placed the damage done to him deep within his being and did his childlike best to forge ahead, beginning life in America with unfamiliar parents, siblings, language and culture.
The family moved to Mississippi to a farm where Lars would often reflect on his fondest memories with his reunited family. Though eventually they returned to Huntington where Lars finished high school and shortly thereafter joined the U.S. Navy. Completing his service, he married briefly but their union ended in a divorce which left him heartbroken. Lars worked in sales and catering over the next few years from Georgia to New York but felt a calling from God to train for a chaplain's position. Through the recommendation of influential friends, he was able to enroll at Gordon-Conwell Seminary in 1973 to pursue his goal. It was there at the seminary he became acquainted with Elisabeth Elliot, as one of two boarders who lived with Elisabeth shortly after her husband, Addison Leitch's death. Lars friendship with Elisabeth blossomed into love over time and the two were married in December of 1977. Lars, who often referred to himself as the third Mr. Elliot, with his Elisabeth, traveled the world together for decades to her speaking engagements as he managed her publishing, agendas and book sales. The two had a full rich life together as God ordained, not without difficulties at times but always devoted and in love with one another.
When Elisabeth was diagnosed with dementia in 2000 it was Lars, who was ten years her junior, who insisted on caring for Elisabeth those 15 years until she went to be with the Lord. Shortly thereafter he too began to succumb to the effects of dementia and chose to sell the house they had built together on the ocean front in Magnolia, Massachusetts over 40 years ago. Lars chose to move closer to friends who would care for him in time as his dementia progressed. It was in Little Rock in 2019 Lars finally recognized that his faith journey had not been fruitful and surrendered himself fully to Christ: heart, body and soul. On the very day Lars had a heart ablation procedure, he became a new creature in Christ and it was a beautifully evident to all those who knew and interacted with him. With a heart healed from the trauma he'd suffered all those years ago as a child, Lars moved into his years of dementia with a countenance of peace and gratitude that only the Holy Spirit could impart. For the last four years he has been living in a memory care home enjoying their garden and activities. On January 9th he fell and fractured his hip and never truly recovered.
As God divinely ordered, Lars was peacefully called to his heavenly home the morning of April 2, 2025………The En Caul Baby, born 88 years prior, had fulfilled his ''special purpose'' for God's glory through the stewarding of Elisabeth's legacy for over four decades…… Psalm 116
Lars is preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; sister and his beloved Elisabeth. Surviving are his brother, Leif Gren; eight nieces and nephews; his step daughter, Valerie Elliot Shepard and her husband, Walt; their eight children and eleven grandchildren.
A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at 2 p.m. in Hamilton Cemetery at 623 Bay Road, Hamilton, MA. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend.
A small reception to follow at the First Congregational Church Hall.
Arrangements are being made under the direction of Roller Funeral Homes of Little Rock, AR and Greely Funeral Home (www.greelyfuneralhome.com) of Gloucester, MA.
In lieu of flowers, Lars wished donations be made in his memory to the Elisabeth Elliot Foundation (www.elisabethelliot.org) which carries on her legacy and continues to point people to Jesus.
On behalf of Fiel Ministries, we extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Lars. We were truly saddened to hear of the passing of this godly man, the beloved husband of Elisabeth Elliot, who made the translation of many of her works into Portuguese possible. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time.
We take comfort in knowing that Lars is now in the presence of our Lord, where there is no more pain or suffering.
With heartfelt sympathy,
Renata Cavalcanti
Editor, Fiel Ministries
São José dos Campos, Brazil
Thank you for all that you have shared with us about Lars. Hearing of his upbringing is so helpful in understanding him!
How good of God to give him a new heart - we have been praying for this for years.
I truly appreciate all Lars has done in making EE’s legacy continue to this day and for generations to come.
Thank You, Jesus for Your everlasting love!
Farewell dearest, Lars, I was so blessed to have you and Elizabeth as supporters when I served in Mongolia. I will never forget the blessing you both were to me upon my return to the States as well. . Although Elisabeth’s ability to speak was compromised, by then,
I ‘ll never forget her intense focus and eye contact along with smiles and nods of approval as I shared stories and photos of my students and friends in the ‘Land of the Blue Sky.’ Then there were the nights I had the privilege of spending at Blueberry Hill Rehab. when Elizabeth was recovering from a broken foot. She was easily calmed by my singing familiar hymns and reading her own books to her after she would be woken up out of a sound sleep during bed checks. What a sweet spirit would emerge!! And Lars was so generous to hire sufficient care takers to insure she got the best of care all those years!!
And after Elizabeth’s passing I am eternally grateful for having had the privilege of cooking and eating dinner and watching movies with Lars . I miss those times so much!
I know you are now enjoying your salvation, precious Child of King Jesus, as you meet your Savior, face to face, re-unite with your beloved Elisabeth and mingle with family and friends.
Farewell dear friend! Our loss is Heaven’s gain
Yours and His,
Sylvia Leftin( Sweeney)
The kindness Lars showed to our family, and his diligence to steward the Elliot legacy are priceless treasures to us. Memories of him singing hymns in our home after Elisabeth’s death, and then hearing him sing in Norwegian on his deathbed have given us inspiration to continue singing scriptural truth for comfort and strength in Christ throughout life. “What’s learned in song is remembered long.” Now he and Elisabeth join their voices with the unseen witnessses for eternity!
We had the pleasure of lunch, dinner and several opportunities to visit with Lars and Elisabeth. I grew up in my faith listening to Elisabeth and she is my hero. I didn't get to meet Lars and Elisabeth until after her stroke and admired the way Lars kept her moving and visiting. My daughter is named after Elisabeth (Julia Elisabeth- Julia after the mentor that lead me to the Lord). There is a big welcome in heaven for these two and know it must have been big celebrations as Lars surrendered to Jesus completely in his later years. Blessings to all.
I listen to Elisabeth Elliott on BBN. I feel like she and Lars are friends sent by radio. Learned so much about God . She talks of him often onher program. God's Blessings on his Home Going.
When I was writing a book about missionaries and families, I was desiring to feature Elisabeth Elliot, and Lars was so kind to me in the process. He took time to answer my questions and even though Elisabeth was not well enough to participate, Lars helped to connect me with her daughter, Valerie. Many women I work with around the world have been impacted by the writings and legacy of Elisabeth Elliot, and I am so thankful for the decades of work and love Lars Gren gave of his life to share this with the next generation. God bless you all as you remember his life and impact.
I never got to meet Lars in person, though I conversed a little by mail over a couple of years. Lars was such a sweet spirit and he was kind. I am so happy that he is with his Lord and Savior, enjoying eternity in quiet wonderful peace. I will miss him. God Bless.
First met Lars and Elizabeth when they came to Japan to speak at a Japanese conference. Being from Massachusetts I
Subsequently visited them at the cove in Magnolia. Continuing those visits till Lars moved to Arkansas and keeping in touch via email till he could no longer. Rest well dear friend.
Our family connected with Lars & Elizabeth in 2000 and on when Elizabeth taught our daughters Rachel, Melanie & Bethany in the Dallas Ministry Center. Years later Elizabeth & Lars stayed with us while they were touring through Texas. I came home from work to find Lars asleep in my bed, sick with vertigo.
Not long afterwards in January 2012, Lars invited our youngest two daughters Bethany & Danielle to help him care for Elizabeth in Massachusetts. On a subsequent visit in Texas after Elizabeth had passed, we took Lars to the Texas State Fair where he had such a heart to share the gospel with those he met.
We consider it a blessing & honor to know both Lars and Elizabeth and to have visited Lars during his final years every time we passed through Little Rock, Arkansas.
Rest in peace my Brother you were always in my Prayers
Always grateful for occasions spent with Uncle Lars and Aunt Betty. Thanks for investing your time with me ever since my college days back in 1984. Though our crossings were infrequent, it was always reassuring know you had my back. You will be missed,
Love Jim& Andrea
I've known Lars for the past six years, and it's been such a pleasure getting to know this wonderful person. We've shared so many memories together, like going on walks, having meals, attending the Arkansas Symphony, and singing hymns. It's been an absolute joy to be in Lars's company.