THEODORE EMANUEL CHELL

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THEODORE EMANUEL CHELL

On June 28, 2024, Rev. Theodore (Ted) Chell peacefully passed away at Luther Court Seniors Home in Victoria, BC at the age of 86.

He will be forever missed by his wife Janet, sons, David (Brita), Andy (Darlene), Luther (Elle), brother Jonathan, grandchildren, Cara, Jenna, Kristian, Dominique, Julia, Ben, Matthew, Anna and great-grandchildren, Otsonen, Kadira and Merjema. He was predeceased by his parents, Rev. Arthur and Evelyn Chell, sister Faith (Ed), brother Jim (Lue) and many other relatives and close friends.

Ted was born in Benson, Minnesota (MN) on December 22, 1937. His early childhood years were spent in rural Minnesota, including Buffalo, Saint Cloud, and Cannon Falls (Spring Garden). He attended Gustavus Adolphus College in Saint Peter, MN, graduating in 1959. While there, he met the love of his life, Janet Lee Sommers. Ted's first year of post university studies were at Yale Divinity School and when he returned the following summer, they were married on June 25, 1960. In the fall of 1960, they moved to Rock Island, Illinois where he began seminary studies at Augustana Lutheran. In the summer of 1961, they moved to St. Petersburg Florida, for Ted's internship year.

After graduating with his Masters of Divinity from Augustana and being ordained on June 18, 1963, he served Lutheran parishes first up in Canada (Edmonton), the U.S. (Indiana) and then back to Canada (Winnipeg, followed by Saskatoon) before finally settling back in Winnipeg in 1978 to become the Assistant to the President of the Man-Sask Synod, a role he faithfully served in for six years until the ELCIC merger in 1985. When he took the call to First English Lutheran church in downtown Winnipeg, where he served until his 'retirement' on January 1, 2001. Although retired, his strong faith and servanthood led him to serve as interim pastor for a number of parishes in Manitoba. He and Janet also became very active members at the Church of St. Stephen and St. Bede (Lutheran/Anglican).

Ted Chell was, as one pastoral colleague recently put it, a humble giant in the Lutheran church in western Canada. He and Janet, his faithful companion for 64 years of marriage, ended up living at one point in all four western provinces, with the farthest west, BC, being his final home. But Winnipeg was where they spent the bulk (46 combined years) of time raising family, welcoming grandchildren, and making so many friends in the community and at many parishes. Ted was ahead of his time in terms of ecumenical vision. He actively served on and was Chair of the Manitoba Multi Faith Council and was able to count many priests and rabbis as friends through this work. He also was active as local Chair of Kairos Canada (a multifaith organization committed to social justice and engagement) and also served on numerous MNO Synod Committees, including Candidacy and Church in Society.

Ted was compassionate, caring, loving, dedicated and committed. He was an active curler in the interdenominational Chaplains Curling Club in Winnipeg. He loved baseball, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and hockey. Family was extremely important to Ted. He loved cheering all three sons on in hockey or whatever event they participated in and this carried on to his grandchildren as well. Many family barbecues were had at the Chell household with Ted at the grill!

He and Janet also loved to travel and somehow managed to take summer vacations driving with Dave, Andy and Lute that saw them reach every State and province in mainland North America as well as the North West Territories. After the boys moved out and started families of their own, Ted took Janet twice to Europe, including their mutual ancestral country of Sweden, to Israel, and to several Caribbean countries, Mexico and several trips to Hawaii. Theatre and symphony were other favourite events to attend.

In February 2020, Ted and Janet moved to Luther Court in Victoria, BC where he was lovingly cared for as his Alzheimer's continue to progress, by Janet and the wonderful staff at Luther Court. He also enjoyed worship services livestreamed at Luther Court or in person at Lutheran Church of the Cross next door.

A memorial service led by Ted's nephew Rev. Ed Chell will be held on Monday July 8, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. PDT at Luther Court. Please contact Ed at echell@luthercourt.org for a link to live-streaming service.

Janet and the family would like to thank all the wonderful caregivers at Luther Court, pastors, Lyle McKenzie and Lyndon Sayers and members at Lutheran Church of the Cross Victoria, BC for all the care, love, and support as well as the many friends and colleagues he served with at various points across Canada and the world.

In lieu of flowers, those who desire to make donations in memory of Ted can do so to Canadian Lutheran World Relief in Winnipeg or to Luther Court/Lutheran Church of the Cross in Victoria.

Earth Options Funeral Services - Victoria, BC, 778-440-8500

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 06, 2024, Jul 06, 2024