Celebrating the Life of
Rev. Dr. Lyman T. Lundeen
August 15, 1930 — August 10, 2023
Obituary
REV. DR. LYMAN TIMOTHY LUNDEEN, 92
Reverend Dr. Lyman Timothy Lundeen, 92, of Schwenksville, PA husband of Grace Elna (Olson) Lundeen, died peacefully Thursday August 10, 2023 at Providence Place in Collegeville.
Born in St. Edward, Nebraska, he was the son of the late Anton and Ruth (Becklund) Lundeen.
He attended Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois where he dated his beloved wife Grace, of more than 70 years. He played defensive end for Augustana college football and was All-Conference twice. After college, Lyman was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers but chose to serve his country in the Navy instead. He was a Line Officer on an Aircraft Carrier during the Korean War, and a Chaplain in the Naval Reserve. Lyman attained the prestigious rank of Captain.
In the late 50s to early 60s, Lyman had a Parish in North Bergen, New Jersey, where he served as Pastor. In 1964, he simultaneously studied for his Doctorate of Theology, ThD, at Union Theological Seminary in New York and served as the Protestant chaplain at Columbia University in New York City. Thereafter, Lyman was a professor of Theology at The Lutheran Theological Seminary in Mt. Airy in Philadelphia for 20 years. He continued teaching at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma Washington State for 10 more years. In 1976, Lyman took a year sabbatical to study German Theology in Sweden. He took his family with him to explore their Swedish heritage together in their namesake city of Lund. He was the author of the book “Risk & Rhetoric in Religion” and published multiple theological articles throughout his career.
Other than football, Lyman loved Clydesdale Horses and old country music like Merle Haggard and Hank Williams. He also loved to travel with his wife Grace all over the world as well as to destinations closer to home like Puerto Rico, Hawaii and Florida for months every winter.
Surviving along with his wife are his son Bruce Lundeen, husband of Ellen; daughters Karen Lundeen, Karla Griffith, wife of Jack, and Ruth Bryan; grandchildren Samantha Lundeen, Antonia Dumas, Nicole Ball, Amanda Bryan, and Devon Bryan; and his sister Evangeline (Vandy) Maki; and many nieces and nephews.
Lyman was preceded in death by his mother; father; stepmother, Almira Lundeen; an infant sister; and four brothers, Joel, Reuben, Obed (Duke), and Milton.
A memorial service will be held Saturday September 16, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Catagnus Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Ltd., 595 W. Main St., Trappe, PA 19426. Visitation will be held Saturday from 9:30-10:45 AM at the funeral home. Interment will be held in a private ceremony at Washington Crossing National Cemetery, 830 Highland Rd., Newtown, PA 18940.
May God bless Lyman's memory amongst us.
Services
Memorial Service (Online)
Saturday, September 16, 2023, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Eastern Time
The memorial service will be streamed on Zoom starting at 11:00 AM Eastern Standard Time on 16 September 2023. Meeting ID: 793 6055 7974 Passcode: abc123
View detailsMemorial Service (In-Person)
Saturday, September 16, 2023, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Eastern Time
Catagnus Funeral Home, 595 W. Main St., Trappe PA, 19426
Visitation will be held Saturday from 9:30 AM – 10:45 AM at the funeral home. Interment will be held at a private Ceremony.
Memories and Condolences
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The American Legion prepared for the gun salute at the interment
Rev Dan Andrews speaking in honor of Lyman for the interment
Soldier saluting Grace after receiving the American Flag
Grace accepting Lyman's flag for his service to our country
Lyman's urn standing in front of the Naval Seal
Grace and Karla listening to Rev. Dan Andrews speak at Lyman's interment at Washington Crossing National Cemetery
Grace accepting Lyman's military honor flag
Memory board from the memorial
Memory board from the memorial
Lyman's beloved nephew Craig, his sister Vandy's son, reading a letter from his mother and paying his respects. Pastor Dan Andrews seated to the left
Lyman's remembrance table
American Legion members waiting to perform the gun salute
American Legion playing Taps
Grace accepting the military honors flag
Bruce, Lyman's son, holding the military honors flag
Grace watching the folding of the flag
The Lundeen Family singing Tryggare kan ingen vara, a Swedish hymn
Grace and the Lundeens singing Tryggare kan ingen vara, a Swedish hymn
Ruth and Dad in Connecticut in 1969
Tonya, Grandpa and Nana.
Lyman and his brother-in-law Lester were close friends.
Lyman award winning athlete
Lyman in denim
Lyman and Tonya in Quincy, MA at Bruce’s (estimated 2008-2011)
Lyman and Grace's Christmas tree.
Lyman enjoying being a chaplain for the Navy.
Lyman took a photo with his boss to show how tall he was in comparison.
Polly Beckham, Ruth Aden and Lyman.
Christmas with all 5 grandchildren, Samantha, Tonya, Nicole, Amanda, and Devon.
Captain Lundeen in his naval dress uniform
Lyman's first rocking chair
Lyman and Tonya (likely Wyndmoor, PA - estimated 1987/1988)
Karla visiting Dad on her B-day.
Yes, Lyman does love horses.
Lyman and longtime friend Tim Beckham.
Lyman all dressed up
Lyman on a picnic with the boys
Tonya and Grandpa relaxing
Lyman's Tree Service
Lyman & Vandy in the snow
Lyman with Anne and Sherri Bloomdahl
Vandy & Lyman a portrait
70's fashion icons!
Lyman and Tonya in Disneyland.
Lyman the Thinker.
Ruth and Lyman walking in Jerusalem
Dad with a draft horse.... he loved them!!!!
Lyman and Grace hiking along the Perkiomen Trail with friend Pr. Chris Weidner in 2008
Part of Lyman’s Augustana basketball team, Lyman is top left.
The Lundeen siblings together with their spouses, very rare indeed.
Grace and Lyman at Karen’s wedding
Fathers of the groom and bride hanging out at Karen’s wedding.
Lyman playing piggyback on his dad.
Lyman always knew what to say in front of a crowd, or congregation, a wonderful speaker.
Lyman and Grace with Bruce, Karen and Karla (The twins) in Rock Island.
Lyman in his formal Chaplain’s (Captain’s)uniform.
Swedes and boats, Lyman, with Grace and Bruce
This is the photo they put in the bulletin at the Lutheran Theological seminary at Mount Airy.
Family dress up at Ruth’s wedding.
Lyman’s whole family! He is 7 years old on the left and Vandy is 6 in the middle.
Lyman in his suspender phase!
Theological professors in conference.
Lyman and granddaughters Tonya and Amanda (estimated 1991/1992)
Such a beautiful couple!
Grace with Lyman and his favorite Swedish flag colors blanket that Devon knitted for him.
High school year book photo.
It’s no surprise that at 6’4” Lyman played basketball too!
The Lundeen kids with Grace and Lyman at Christmas.
Lyman’s professorial look in the 70’s.
Lyman showing off his strength to impress his sweetheart, Grace.
Preaching from a military pulpit.
Young love.
Lyman and Grace share a moment in church.
Team camaraderie at Augustana college. Lyman is on the left.
Lyman takes the position pre-tackle at Augustana.
Lyman driving a Sports car!
Lyman with his loving stepmother Almira.
The Lundeen clan in school uniforms all dressed up!
Proud parents at Ruth’s college graduation from Temple University.
The day that Lyman asked Grace to marry him. She said yes!
Lyman together with all of his siblings. Joel and Milton in the back, and Obed (Duke), Vandy, and Reuben in the front.
Lyman was always up for a debate!
Lyman being pastoral!
Lyman and his brother-in-law Lester, more than relatives they were friends.
Lyman’s brothers were really into repairing cars. Here’s Lyman playing the part.
Ruth, Grace and Lyman horsing around in the Lundeen house.
It’s a twin birthday - dad with Karla, Karen, and a cake.
“Reverend Dr. Lundeen was the revered teacher of a generation of preachers” As I have been told by many of his students.
A young Lyman with his little friends.
Pastor Lundeen giving a moving sermon in the pulpit.
Pastor Lundeen officiating a wedding on the beach.
Just a sailor on shore leave.
An officer and a gentleman!
Dad’s favorite horse - a Clydesdale!
Lyman dreaming of the yacht life.
Lyman playing football at his college, Augustana
My dad performed the service on my wedding day... interestingly my parents were married by their fathers!
Lyman and Sam arrive at the S&S deli in the same outfit
Lyman and Grace's Wedding Day!
My dad- the picture is of another dad and son but the idea is there- he walked me onto docks and volleyball games and rv adventures- he believed in me and got me started working on old cars and boats and helped me start a life I love Thanks Dad We will miss you. We rang bells today 93 times on our boat and at your church to celebrate your years here- may you continue to dwell in the house of the lord forever. always your grateful son Bruce
Lyman's Daughter in-law Ellen pays a loving visit.
Another beautiful bouquet for Grace from Lyman.
Still holding hands after all these years.
Dad and Bruce relaxing in the afternoon.
Lyman and Grace at the Prom!
Grace and Lyman sharing a meal together
Lyman on his 91st birthday
Lyman visiting his son, Bruce, and surveying the boats
Lyman and granddaughter, Tonya, sharing a birthday wish
Lyman and Grace on his birthday
Lyman in Connecticut hanging with Alex
Lyman with his father
Lyman and Grace on vacation
These were the flowers that Lyman got Grace for Mother's Day. He made sure she got flowers every year
Our father and grandfather will be truly missed
I loved my father. I love him still. He was my hero and he was my friend. I will miss him.
Most people don’t know how hard Dad worked all his life between having a family, teaching, lesson plans, grading papers and tests, preparing sermons, preaching, Naval reserve weekends after his active duty during the Korean war, studying theology, publishing theological papers and even a book. He deserves to be honored and to finally have a well earned eternal rest.
My Dad was so smart and generous I was so proud of him and his many careers as he reinvented himself- he was a big guy when he ministered in the navy he asked to be called Tim to be less intimidating. That’s just beyond thoughtful - We’ll miss you dad!
Our deepest sympathy to all the Lundeens at the loss of this mighty oak of a man. He taught so many of us novice theologians at Philadelphia Seminary patiently and with a dry wit. I remember well the many conversations at Wednesday sherry hour. Lyman Lundeen was so central to that community.
We so enjoyed the company of Lyman and Grace on Christmas Eve. Being Swedish myself, their visits were particularly joyful.
Rest peacefully Lyman. Thanks for welcoming me into your family. We celebrate you every day.
It is hard to put into words what my father meant to me.... and still means. His words often shaped my life.. especially as a child. I will keep him in my thoughts and prayers.
A life well lived! For some reason, Mr. Lundeen and I shared a spiritual bond which developed on our many van rides together. After reading his obituary, and after our many conversations, I am certain that he made an impact on most, if not all with whom he came in contact and that he will be sorely missed by family and friends! My sincere condolences to the family! May he rest in peace with our Lord!
I’m Lyman’s nephew. My memories of him from my childhood are all big: big person; huge, smothering hug; big voice (both speaking and singing!); broad smile! In my adulthood, he became a dear friend. I, and so many others, will greatly miss him, and his deep and wide-ranging mind! Deepest condolences to my dear Aunt Grace, all the family, and his many friends!
Lyman was a very special friend of my family's. He baptized our two children, Joe and Sabrina, then he and Grace became their godparents. Through the years, Tim and I shared meals, thoughts, prayers, special occasions with him and Grace. In his last few years, I frequently talked with him about religion, the stock market, and country music (of which I became a fan) as he rode his exercise bike. He also brought me back to the God of the Trinity, for which I shall be forever grateful.
Lyman will be truly missed. He was bigger than life and has left an impact on all of us here at Providence Place. My sincere condolences to his family.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, your dad looked like a beautiful person just like you.
My sincere condolences to the family. I had many interesting conversations with Lyman over the years. I cherish the memories of those debates with Lyman. I am sure he is enjoying himself in heaven. I am so glad I visited him a few weeks ago. Peace, Grace and Much Love, Puddy
Lyman was my dearest friend. I will miss him deeply. He baptized my children. He ran with me for miles in Valley Green. He carried my doubts about the divine into the world of faithful reality. He was always there for me when I struggled through life. He was a kind and loving man. He knew the meaning in life. I will miss him deeply all the rest of my existence.
Lyman, It was with great pleasure I got to meet you, while I was working at the Collegeville Community. You were a wonderful man who has touched so many lives. May you rest in peace.
I’m the chaplain where Lyman was living. We became friends from the first day I met him. He will be missed tremendously.
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