James Arthur Chell

James Arthur Chell, born of Evelyn and Arthur Chell, February 4, 1934, in Benson, Minnesota. Passed peacefully September 3, 2022, in Jasper, Alberta.

James is: Father to Joel (Lisa), Peter, Paul (Maureen), Edward (Lara), Michael (Wanda) and Anna (Quinn); grandfather to Erika, Helena, Kai and Liam, Andrew, Tanner, Evan and Annika, Jens, Cézanne, and Kajsa, Anton and Kalle, Mikayla and Simon; great grandfather to Zaira. Each carries the examples of spirituality, love of the outdoors and God’s creation that he fostered. He is also survived by: his brothers, Ted (Janet) and Jonathan (Surya); sisters-in-law, Elaine, Marjorie “Marge” and Nadine “Deanie”; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. The family wishes to extend heartfelt gratitude to Cristita, who has been a faithful caregiver to Jim and Lue for many years. James is predeceased by his wife, Luella; son, Paul; parents, Arthur and Evelyn; in-laws, Hildu and Casper Gesme; sister, Faith (Ed) Gose; and brothers and sisters in law: Harold (Lila), Wendell (Rose), Doris, Vivian (Kenneth), and Ruth (Fillmore); brothers in law: Obert Kappedahl, Leslie Kurtz and Duane Anderson.

James was nurtured in his childhood and youth in an environment surrounded by the vibrant life of the church and the adventures and opportunities offered by life in the country, raising animals, working on the farm and picking up jobs wherever he was led. Jim’s life and faith was deeply rooted in his experience of family and nature on the farm in St. Peter. His parents served in parishes and schools across Minnesota including Benson, Buffalo, St. Cloud and Cannon Falls where he met his lifelong love, Luella, in high school English class.

He graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1956 and married Luella that August. He received his Bachelor and Master of Divinity degrees from Augustana Theological Seminary in Rock Island, Illinois, graduating in 1960. Following the call of adventure and wilderness to the north, he completed his internship in Kenora, Ontario where he began his family. He was ordained on June 12, 1960 and accepted a call to serve a new Lutheran mission parish in Stavely, Alberta. Over the years with his growing family, he continued his mission development work as a pastor in High River, Wetaskiwin and Calgary and later as the assistant to the bishop in the regional synod office in Edmonton and later as Executive Director of Canadian Mission in the ELCIC national church office in Winnipeg. In his retirement, he served a number of parishes from Teulon to Gimli to Hinton and Jasper.

During his ministry outside of the church building, Jim enjoyed building relationships with the farming and ranching community, breaking and training some of his own horses, leading pioneer and outpost camps in the mountains. He also served on the Mulhurst Camp board, and was involved in ministry in the far north through his involvement in L.A.M.P. His adventurous spirit took him to China - in support of developing Chinese language missions in Canada - as well as a study trip to Peru.

In more recent years, Jim enjoyed being involved in the men's choir and bible study breakfast group, hunting, hiking, riding and visiting. He always had a story to share or retell, all of which had theological relevance or reference. His passion for ministry continued in many forms, voiced in his “dirt road theology”, conversations around the table and hallways while visiting Lue in care, and relationship building outside of church circles.

In lieu of flowers donation can be made to:

•        L.A.M.P (Lutheran Association of Missionaries and Pilots) https://www.lampministry.org/donate

•        Mulhurst Camp https://www.mulhurstcamp.ca/give

•        CLWR (Canadian Lutheran World Relief) https://clwr.donorshops.com/product/520E429GEN/where-needed-most

•        The Good Samaritan Society https://gss.org/donate/

•        Lutheran Theological Seminary Saskatoon https://lutherantheological.ca/give

Graveside service planned for September 12, 2022, at 1:00 pm at Hinton Woodlawn Cemetery.

Open to all family and friends - limited seating so bring your own chair if you would like to sit during the service.

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