Pastor Harvey L. Jackson

Rev. Harvey Leroy Jackson died peacefully on Monday, September 28, 2015, at the Good Samaritan Home in Park River, ND, after a long illness. The long-time pastor was 78. He was born on December 31, 1936, in Madrid, Iowa, the youngest child of Harry and Mabel (Nelson) Jackson, who owned and operated an appliance repair shop in Madrid. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church and graduated from the Madrid High School, where he played trumpet in the band and catcher on the baseball team. Following his graduation from high school in 1954, he attended the Lutheran Bible Institute, Minneapolis. Following his graduation from LBI, and sensing a call to the ministry, Harvey completed his education at Luther College, Wahoo, Nebraska, and later at Augsburg College, Minneapolis, before enrolling in seminary. Pastor Jackson was married to Shirley Darlene Bonnallie on August 5, 1961 at Mona, IA, and they moved to Minneapolis to complete pastoral training. He graduated from Northwestern Lutheran Theological Seminary, Minneapolis, and was ordained at his home church in Madrid, on June 14, 1964. They were married for 54 years, and raised three children while serving the Lord in ministry for 40 years. Over the course of his ministry, Pastor Jackson served several churches, including Bethesda and Salem Lutheran churches in Strandquist, MN, and in rural Stephen; Salem and Siloa congregations, Dalbo, MN; Redeemer Lutheran of Alden, MN; Hope Free Lutheran in Ishpeming, Michigan; and Zoar Free Lutheran, Hatton, ND. He also loved ministering to seniors, organizing worship services and prayer services at local nursing homes, and playing hymns on his trumpet. During his last call, Pastor Jackson served as half-time chaplain at the Tri-County Nursing Home in Hatton, ND, a ministry he relished. A pastor who loved to share the gospel and lead people to salvation in Jesus Christ, he served on various boards and committees promoting evangelism. Pastor Jackson also served for many years on the board of the Lutheran Evangelistic Movement (LEM) and the Lutheran Colportage, and actively promoted the work of organizations such as the World Mission Prayer League (WMPL) and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. He was on the clergy roster of the Association of Free Lutheran Congregations and actively promoted the work of the AFLC's missions, Bible school and seminary. In June of 2003 Harvey and Shirley retired in Park River, ND where Harvey continued to minister at the Good Samaritan Home and preached at churches in the area. He was a member of Grace Free Lutheran of Edinburg, ND. He served as visitation pastor for Grace and for Victory Free Lutheran in Park River as well. After a difficult stroke, he entered the Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Park River, where he lived and received such loving care for almost four years. He is survived by wife Shirley; son Brad (Carla) of Edina, MN; and daughters Linda (Pastor James L. Johnson) of Camarillo, CA; and Beth (Pastor Tom Olson) of Golden Valley, ND; 15 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents and by his sister, Rosemary, and also leaves behind several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be Friday, October 2, 2015 at 11:00 A.M. at the Victory Free Lutheran Church of Park River. Visitation will be Thursday from 5-7:00 P.M. with a prayer service at 7:00 P.M. at the Tollefson Funeral Home of Park River. Friends may call at the church on Friday for one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at the Memorial Park Cemetery, Park River. All are welcome.