Joys and Concerns: Pastor Eric Norgard

It is with deep sadness that I write to inform you of the tragic death of a former colleague who served with us here in the South Dakota Synod.  Pastor Eric Norgard died by his own hand on the morning of November 16, 2011.  Pastor Norgard had battled mental illness and was recently being treated for severe depression.

Pastor Norgard served from 2001 to 2008 as the Associate Pastor at Messiah New Hope Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls.  At the time of his death, he was serving as the Sr. Pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hagerstown, MD.  Prior to coming to South Dakota, Pastor Norgard served congregations in Wisconsin and Massachusetts.

Pastor Eric is survived by his wife, Lisa, and his two young daughters, Kristina and Betsy.  I hold them in my prayers, and I ask that you do so, too.  We share with them our sure hope of resurrection to eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ.

A service for the Burial of the Dead will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hagerstown, MD on Monday, November 21st at 10:30 am Eastern Time.  My associates and I are in communication with the family and with Bishop Herz-Lane of the Delaware-Maryland Synod.  As obituary and other details become available, I will forward them to you.

A memorial service in memory of Pastor Eric will be held on at Messiah New Hope Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls.  The date and time are to be determined.

Condolences will be greatly appreciated and they may be sent to Mrs. Lisa Norgard, at 13124 Hepplewhite Circle, Hagerstown, MD 21742.

At a time like this, I am ever mindful of how precious each one of you are to me and to this church, as I know we are all precious to each other.  Let us use this moment to recommit ourselves to following our Lord Jesus by sharing compassion with those who suffer and especially now, with those who suffer from mental illness.

Your Brother in Christ,

Bishop David Zellmer