GRAND RAPIDS, MI (June 18, 2012) – A memorial service for retired Evangelical Covenant Church pastor and missionary Edwin D. Noren will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday at First Covenant Church. Noren, 88, died Sunday.
Noren was born April 27, 1924, in Oberlin, Kansas. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas, and then graduated from North Park Theological Seminary in 1953. He was ordained the same year.
Noren married Ruth Lundberg August 11, 1951. She survives.
He was awarded the Purple Heart while serving with the U.S. Army during World War II. Following his discharge from the military, he served internships and interim pastorates at Covenant congregations in Kansas.
Noren served as a missionary in the Democratic Republic of Congo from 1953 to 1964. He returned to serve as pastor of West Bay Covenant Church in Traverse City, Michigan, from 1964 to 1967. He returned to DR Congo and served from 1967 to 1979. Noren again served as pastor of a congregation in the United States, ministering at the Evangelical Covenant Church in Lake Norden, North Dakota, from 1979-1981. He completed his ministry serving in DR Congo from 1981 to 1990.
In addition to his wife, survivors include his daughter, Janice Ruth, and two sons, Paul Noren and Daniel Noren.
Visitation will be observed from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Covenant Village of the Great Lakes Residential Building in the lower fellowship area. Memorials may be directed to First Covenant Church in Grand Rapids, Covenant Village of the Great Lakes, or the Department of World Mission and designated for work in DR Congo.
