Rev. Carl P. Vaagenes

Rev. Carl Philip Vaagenes, age 97, passed away on Sunday, December 29, 2024. He was born on December 23, 1927, in Betroka, Madagascar to Rev. Morris and Hanna Vaagenes who served there as Lutheran missionaries. His brother Morris was born 2 years later, followed by sisters Adelaide and Lois. His sisters died in early childhood in Betroka. 

Carl and Morris attended the boarding school for missionary kids in Fort Dauphin, Madagascar. School was difficult when he arrived for first grade as he spoke only Norwegian. However, by the time his brother, Morris, came to school, Carl had adjusted to boarding school life and could look out for his brother. He grew up speaking Norwegian, English, Malagasy, and French depending on his circumstances. 

Carl and family were on furlough in the U.S. when WW2 broke out. Unable to return to Madagascar during the war, his father took a call as pastor in Madelia, Minnesota. When the war was over, his parents returned to Madagascar, leaving Carl and Morris to finish high school and attend college. 

While attending Augsburg College, Carl met Ruth Oredson at a nearby church where she sang in the choir he directed. They were married in 1950. Shortly after, he was drafted into the Army and stationed at Camp Chafee in Fort Smith, Arkansas, where his first born, Daniel, was born. Upon completing his service, he returned to Minnesota and attended Augsburg Seminary to become a pastor. 

After spending a year of language study in France, he returned to Madagascar where he and Ruth served as missionaries from 1955 to 1972. Three children, Annette, Miriam, and Carl were born there. A son, Jonathan, was also born in Madagascar but died shortly after birth. 

After the years in Madagascar, Carl took a call as pastor at Ebenezer Lutheran Church in Northwood, ND, followed by calls at Zoar (Tofte) and Lutsen Lutheran Church on the north shore of Lake Superior. In 1988, he received a Doctor of Ministry from Luther Northwestern Seminary. In 1991, he was briefly at Brooklyn Park Lutheran Church. In 1994 he joined his brother Morris at North Heights Lutheran Church as visitation pastor. He retired in 2012 and kept his mind active as a writer and translator of music and theology. In the last years of his life, he wrote his memoir titled An Earthen Vessel. 

He is preceded in death by parents, Morris and Hanna; son, Jonathan; sisters, Adelaide and Lois; and his brother, Morris. He is survived by his loving wife of 74 years, Ruth; sons, Daniel (Ruth) and Carl (Kirsten); daughters, Annette (Tom) Baker, Miriam (Peter) Hansen; 10 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; nieces, nephews, and cousins in Norway. 

Special thanks to all the staff and volunteers at Park Nicollet–Methodist Hospice for their care. 

Memorials: Global Health Ministries

Visitation 10:00 - 11:00 am Monday, January 6 at North Heights Lutheran Church (Roseville Campus), 2701 Rice St., Roseville followed by a funeral service at 11:00 am.

Private interment Oak Hill Cemetery, Minneapolis, MN.