Glen Lovestrand

IVANHOE — Celebration of Life for Glen Lovestrand, 95, of Ivanhoe will be at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Bethany-Elim Lutheran Church in Ivanhoe and social distancing guidelines are to be followed. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will follow at the East Elim Cemetery, rural Ivanhoe.  Houseman Funeral Home-Birk Chapel is entrusted with the arrangements.

He died Tuesday, June 23, 2020, at the Hendricks Nursing Home.

Glen Arvey Lovestrand was born Feb. 3, 1925, in Ash Lake Township, rural Ivanhoe, to J. Adolph & Martha M. (Seveland) Lovestrand, Glen was baptized and confirmed in his faith at East Elim Lutheran Church, Ivanhoe. He attended and graduated from Ivanhoe High School in 1944 as class Valedictorian and then enlisted in the US Army, serving 4 years in the 8th Army Headquarters, Yokohama, Japan, S/Sgt.

Glen began his educational career in architecture at the University of California, Berkeley and after two years decided to change his major to music.  He studied pipe organ and eventually graduated in 1954 from Gustavus Adolphus College, MN with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music. He went on to secure a Master of Music degree in 1956 from the University of Redlands, CA. Glen also pursued additional music study at the University of Minnesota and the University of California, Berkeley. 

Glen spent his first 18 years in Ivanhoe. After years away, in the service, studying music, playing and teaching, he returned in the mid 1960’s to care for his parents. After their deaths, he remained in Ivanhoe.  Prior to “coming back home,” he served as an organist-choirmaster in Center City, St. Peter, and Duluth, Galveston, TX, Newport News, VA and organist in Yokohama, Japan while in the service.  Glen also served as music director in Oakland and San Bernadino, CA. and shared his talents as an instructor at Gustavus Adolphus College.  

Glen served as organist-choir master at St. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Ivanhoe, St. John Cantius Catholic Church, Wilno and Bethany Elim Lutheran Church, Ivanhoe until he retired. Over the years he used many different types of instruments to add variety to church services.  Glen enjoyed directing “Handel’s Messiah” in 1974, 1981 and later also directing Choral Vespers.  His favorite composers were Bach, Beethoven and all of the Masters. In addition to directing church choirs, Glen also taught organ and piano lessons throughout the years in Ivanhoe and Hendricks. Many of his students have gone on to succeed as musicians and instructors. 

Glen had many gifts and talents.  He enjoyed gardening, gourmet cooking, reading, sculpture and painting.  Close to his heart were the Habitat for Humanity, Food programs, and ELCA Mission work.

Glen is survived by nieces Donna (Blaine) Kurth of Ivanhoe and Bonnie (Dennis) Christianson of Hendricks, nephews James Lovestrand of Florida, Robert Olson of Tyler, Paul (Victoria) Lovestrand of Baldwin, WI, Mark Lovestrand of Utah, niece Lona Ponik of California and many grand nieces and nephews. 

He is preceded in death by parents Adolph and Martha and siblings Albin, Evelyn, Raymond, Melvin and niece Jeannie.

Blessed be his memory.