Marlin Bennie Aadland died peacefully at the age of 82 on May 30, 2019 in Surrey, B.C.
Aadland was elected to serve as the first Bishop of the British Columbia Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) in 1985 and served for three terms until 1998.
“Marlin had a deep faith, was a brilliant teacher and had an outstanding sense of humour. I give thanks to God for his faithful service to God and the church,” says ELCIC National Bishop Susan Johnson. “Our prayers are with his wife Jeanette and all who mourn Marlin’s death.”
He earned his B.A. degree at Augsburg College in 1962, followed by an MDiv. from the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Saskatoon in 1966. In 1981, he completed his doctorate degree from the Boston University School of Theology.
Aadland served as pastor in Lutheran parishes in Wetaskiwin, Burnaby and Vancouver.
He is survived by his wife of almost 55 years, Jeanette (nee Quenzer); children Jeff (Effie) Aadland and Jill (Robin) Smalley; and grandchildren. He is lovingly remembered by his sisters Vivian Brown of Loreburn, SK and Sharon Wankel of Saskatoon, and their families.
Funeral service and reception will be held on Friday, June 7, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at Mount Olive Lutheran Church (2350 148th St. Surrey, B.C.). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Saskatoon or Canadian Lutheran World Relief.
