Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com
Published - Monday, April 21, 2008
Larry Olson: A hearty handshake and a ministry to remember
Ron Nowland believes in hearty handshakes — like the one that ushered me into his La Crosse home after I rang the doorbell. That was a few months ago. It remains an unforgettable Norwegian-to-Norwegian greeting.
You might say that Ron’s handshakes are long-lasting, considering that it was this wonderful gesture that began his “temporary” role as pastor of Bells Coulee Lutheran Church 22 years ago.
Nestled in a scenic valley, Bells Coulee Church is at the junction of County Hwys. E and DE in rural Bangor, Wis. A creek flows past it.
Ron, 75, shares: “I shook hands and had a contract. I told them: ‘When you want me to leave you put your arm around my shoulder and tell me you need a new voice and I’ll quietly go’.”
But the people of Bells Coulee will have none of that. Ron will not go quietly. There will be a generous commotion of thanks when he officially retires from this ministry the weekend of June 14-15. His final pulpit appearance as pastor will be on Sunday, June 15, timed 50 years to the day since his ordination at his home church in West Allis, Wis. Bells Coulee congregation will salute Ron and his family at an open house complete with program and pig roast at the church on Saturday, June 14.
Ron is respected as the church’s “savior” for working as its shepherd ever since there was synod talk of shutting down the 125-member congregation for lack of a part-time pastor. He followed interim pastor Dan Vinge, then chaplain at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse. Vinge introduced Ron to Bells Coulee. At this time Ron was chaplain at Bethany St. Joseph in La Crosse, a role he continued until age 66.
“He is considered a savior among us,” said 50-year Bells Coulee member Dorothy Bryhn of Mindoro, Wis. “We have been blessed because we didn’t have to worry about getting a pastor. He has been a godsend. He is so good with our people. I adore him, his wife, Frieda, every member of the Nowland family. They are precious people.” (The Nowlands’ son, Paul, is a Bells Coulee council member; their daughter-in-law, Tammi, is church organist.)
Ron has served Bells Coulee well, Dorothy continued. “He has baptized our babies and now he is marrying them. Our church is lucky to have known him. He has made us feel so comfortable.”
Todd Caulum of Bangor, council president, agrees. “He is a super great guy, and we’re going to miss him terribly. He works with everyone, and lets God speak through him.” He credits Ron with growing the congregation from 125 baptized members to 178, adding to his flock from nearby Wisconsin areas including Mindoro, West Salem, Bangor and Sparta.
“He has helped to preserve our family roots,” Todd said, explaining some have returned to Bells Coulee because as children they attended church with their parents or grandparents. “Ron welcomed them ‘back home’,” Todd said.
“As a congregation and a minister, collectively we have fallen in love,” added Steve Horstman of Sparta, youth director and a council member.
Todd said: “As we wish Ron a long and healthy retirement, we are looking and praying that God will send us someone. While we are keeping all venues open, and we have begun work through our Evangelical Lutheran Church in America synod in La Crosse” to find candidates to become a part-time pastor.
Ron describes the congregation as wonderful and self-asserting. “Being pastor here is good because people know their responsibilities and they get things done. For example, I have been with them through two building programs, and I have not gotten any ulcers. I have not gotten any blame or credit.” Adds Frieda, “Ron’s ministry has been of word and sacrament. That’s what this congregation wanted” from him.
Among Ron’s favorite memories at Bells Coulee is when “a young couple wanted to get married in a most unusual way.” They chose to exchange vows after a normal Sunday morning service. “At the end of the service, when I asked ‘Will the bride and groom please come forward?’ there was whiplash throughout the congregation.” After the wedding a meal followed. “It was a wedding banquet — just a wonderful event!“
In retirement, it will not be the same for the Nowlands. Ron describes Sundays as “many a delightful drive” 22 miles one way from their home. “It’s so beautiful to drive past Lake Neshonoc, into Adams Valley and on to Bells Coulee.” There were days, however, the couple would take “out of the way” routes to drink in the beauty of the area.
Talking with Pastor Ron, I’ll go out on a limb and bet he will miss more than those drives. Besides parishioners, he’ll miss preparing those always-interesting sermons for delivery on Sundays. In fact, I’ll bet his hearty handshake on it.
Larry Olson can be reached at lolson6311@charter.net or at larry.olson@lacrossetribune.com, or by mail addressed to the La Crosse Tribune, 401 N. Third St., La Crosse, WI 54601.
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