Rev. James Richard Lundell

Rev. James Richard Lundell, 92, of Davenport, IA, went to be with his Lord and Savior on January 18, 2024. He died peacefully after a brief illness.

A memorial service will be held 11am Friday, April 5, at First Covenant Church, Moline. Visitation will be 4:30-7:30pm on Thursday, April 4, at Esterdahl Mortuary and Crematory Limited in Moline. An additional visitation will be held one hour prior to the service on Friday. Cremation rites have been accorded. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to First Covenant Church and Youth Hope in Moline.

James was born on March 23, 1931, in Kennedy, MN to Arthur and Dora (Medicraft) Lundell. He was raised on a farm in Kennedy, MN where he worked on all aspects of the farm. James could be found milking the cows, bringing in the crops and other farm tasks. The land was baked into him. He considered Minnesota “God’s Country.” He lived in short proximity to several of his relatives. His love of the Swedish language came from exclusively speaking Swedish with his grandmother Mathilda.

James received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota and went on to graduate North Park Seminary in 1958. He was ordained in the Evangelical Covenant Church.  James sang with a quartet and met Twyla Liljegren, who was filling in for a soprano. James and Twyla married on August 18, 1956. In 1958, James took his first congregation in Cromwell, CT, where they remained for 10 years. All three of their daughters were born there. In 1968, James and his family accepted a call to pastor First Covenant Church in Moline, IL until he retired in October of 1993. During his career, James served on the board of directors at Ridgecrest Village in Davenport for 20 years, and Christian Friendliness in Moline. James was a passionate servant leader and a true minister of the Gospel. Pastor Lundell was well known for his booming singing voice, sense of humor, speaking Swedish and his strong handshake. He was well loved and respected by many. James and Twyla enjoyed traveling with Jim’s siblings and got to see much of the world from the deck of a cruise ship. James and Twyla enjoyed being grandparents to their 4 grandchildren. They adored watching them grow up, get married, and start families of their own. In 2015, Jim and Twyla move into Ridgecrest Village in Davenport, IA. There they met many new friends. Twyla passed away in August 2021. James was an avid reader and enjoyed sitting in the commons area greeting everyone who passed by with a hearty “Hello!”

James is preceded in death by wife Twyla, his parents Arthur and Dora, brother LeRoy, and sister Lois Bernstrom. Those left to cherish his memory are daughters Debra of Minneapolis, MN, Nancy (Terry) Young of Westfield, IN and Susan Caldwell of Moline, IL; Grandchildren Thomas (Amanda) Young, Katherine (Lindsey) Britt, Britta (Jacob) Miller, and Kerstin (Dion) Wooley. Great grandchildren Caleb, Hannah and Jacob Young, James Britt, Esther Miller, and Brecken Wooley; sister Ardis (Walter) Rafteseth, many nieces and nephews, plus other family members and friends.

“Well done, good and faithful servant” Matthew 25:21

Memories may be shared online by visiting esterdahl.com.