Fall 2009

One of the last remaining persons connecting us directly with Christikon’s origins, Otis Alvin Tjeltveit of Red Lodge, Montana — known to most of us as Al — died on September 29, 2009. He was laid to rest on October 7.

Except for his service during World War II in the U.S. Army Air Corps, Al spent most of his life in Red Lodge. He was born there in 1923, grew up on his parents’ homestead in the area, went to school there, and served with the Postal Service in Red Lodge from 1946 until he retired as Postmaster in 1980. He was active with his congregation and also the wider church, and served with many community organizations.

Al was a part of the Christikon ministry, and that of its predecessors, from the beginning. His signature appears as one of the Board members on the original articles of incorporation for the Luther Lodge Bible Camp Association, filed in 1951, and also on the same document for the subsequent Lutheran Bible Camp, Inc., 1956.

Al’s leadership commitment and his vision for outdoor ministry took deep root in his family: Both his wife, Margaret, and his son, Norman, have also served on the Christikon Board of Directors. Sons Alan, Steven and Larry all were part of the camp’s summer staff for one or more seasons. And Al’s connection with Christikon never ceased. From the Bible Camp’s inception, one could almost count upon seeing Al and Margaret as "regulars" at most of the camp’s meetings.

So we give thanks for Al’s life and witness, particularly for the gentle touch he had on the lives of so many, also through this outdoor ministry. We remember him as part of that "great cloud of witnesses" whose encourage-ment and support urge us on towards whatever is yet in store for us. When we sang, "For all the saints who from their labors rest...." at his funeral, we were gratefully including him in that number.

"Rest eternal grant him, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon him."

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