To view a livestream of the service access: https://bethanylutheranchurch58701.com/livestream/
Pastor John Nilsen, 76, Minot formerly of Riverdale, ND, died Thursday, July 11, 2024, in a Minot hospital surrounded by his loving family.
John was born July 5, 1948, in Staten Island, NY to Thorleif and Helen (Rehak) Nilsen. After graduating from Port Richmond High School, he attended Lutheran Bible Institute, Teaneck, NJ and then Concordia College, Moorhead, MN where he received a BA with majors in music and theatre. While at Concordia, John was the leader of a Gospel Team each year. The teams traveled to churches across the Midwest to do contemporary services. He loved doing services and was proud of his teams’ musicality and giving spirit. His calling was to be a Lutheran pastor, so he ventured to St. Paul, MN to attend Luther Seminary. He earned his Master of Divinity degree in 1975 and was ordained in July that year.
John was united in marriage to Cheryl Tryhus on June 20, 1975. They made their home in Riverdale, ND. He served as pastor of the Riverdale/Coleharbor parish and later the Riverdale/Max parish until his retirement in 2013. During his ministry, he became well-known for his preaching ability which served him well in his retirement as he did pulpit supply for area congregations. His favorite services were those on Christmas Eve and Good Friday as he put together worship services that included poignant and relevant stories he found as the message and put together medleys of Christmas or Easter hymns that would be sung acapella by Cheryl and him.
Theatre was a passion for John. He loved both performing in and directing plays. One of his favorite memories was that of being the first performer to be seen on stage at the then new Frances Frasier Comstock Theatre at Concordia where he had the lead in the musical Celebration! He performed roles with Hazen Community Theatre, MSU Summer Theatre, and Mouse River Players and directed contest plays for several years at Underwood High School where he was also the speech coach. John continued to work in speech as a judge every spring. John enjoyed playing his guitar for folk services during his ministry. He was a member of the Minot Chamber Chorale for more than 30 years, and he thoroughly enjoyed taking part in its annual Renaissance Christmas Feast where he could utilize both his musical and theatrical talents. After retirement and moving to Minot, John also sang with the Bethany Choir and was a member of the Bethany Bellievers, the handbell choir.
Being Pappy to his three children and four grandsons was a highlight for John. He enjoyed spending time with them going to movies, going to the zoo and to the fair, and playing video games, especially Mario Party! John especially loved going to the zoo and supporting it as it developed new exhibits and animal habitats.
John is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Cheryl, Minot; children Jared (Lisa) Nilsen, Lake Stevens, WA, Dana (Howard) Olson, Casselton, ND, Ashley (Torrac Hayes) Nilsen, Minot and honorary German daughter Madeleine (Goetz) Rauschenberger, Armenia; grandchildren James and Miles Nilsen and Thor and Trygve Olson; father-in-law Herman ‘Bud’ Tryhus, Minot in-laws also include Judith (Melvin) Karch, Valley City, ND, Kathleen (Dean) Clott, Minot, Rodney Tryhus, Minot, Brian Tryhus (Mary West), Mankato, MN and Neil (Christy) Tryhus, Owatonna, MN; and Cheryl Tryhus, Bismarck, ND.
John was preceded in death by his parents, siblings Thomas Nilsen, Nancy Nilsen and Agnes Finneran, mother-in-law Joyce Tryhus, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Gail and Allan Moore and brother-in-law Lance Tryhus.
Celebration of Pastor John Nilsen: 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 24, 2024 at Bethany Lutheran Church, Minot. To view a livestream of the service access https://bethanylutheranchurch58701.com/livestream/
Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot, ND
Visitation: Tuesday, July 23, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials are preferred to the Minot’s Roosevelt Park Zoo, Chamber Chorale, and Bethany Lutheran Church or to an organization of the donor’s choice.
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