Allen M. Hastings

Allen M. Hastings left this world and joined his Savior on Tuesday, March 4, 2014. He was born October 23, 1936 to Paul and Ella Hastings in Rochester, MN and spent his entire childhood in Pine Island, MN, graduating from Pine Island High School in 1954. He began his college studies in engineering, but after two years decided to enter the ministry. He received his undergraduate degree from Wartburg College in Waverly, IA, his divinity degree from the Springfield Seminary of the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod, and, to strengthen his knowledge of the spread of Christianity, completed all the studies for a graduate degree in Byzantine history at Oklahoma State University as well. He served several congregations in Minnesota, Oklahoma and Texas. He also helped “plant” several congregations in Texas. He stood on the Word of God as absolute truth and took great joy in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In recent years he developed a passion for the young earth creation ministries such as Creation Ministries International, Answers in Genesis and The Institute for Creation Research. In 1966, officiating at the marriage of one of his parishoners, he met and later married Karla Johnson of Moorhead, MN. Allen is survived by his wife of 47 years, Karla, and children: Paul Allen Hastings (wife, Mandy, and sons, Milton and Wilks); Eva Marie Hastings Wolf (husband, Jason, and children; David, Michael, Emma and Isabella); Elizabeth Andriette Hastings Terrell (husband, Hank, and children, Travis and Julia); Lela Lenora Hastings Ripamonti (son, Niccolo); and Benjamin Allen Hastings (wife, Lynn, and step-sons, Jesse and Mitchel). Funeral services will be held at one of Allen’s former parishes, Grace Lutheran Church in Elgin, TX, on Monday, March 10th, at 10 A.M. with Pastor Carl Roth officiating. Burial will be in Lampasas, TX with graveside services conducted by Pastor Darrell Howanitz, whose wife, Wanda, was in the first confirmation class Allen conducted in his first parish in Carlos, MN. We who are left behind grieve for our loss, but know Allen is now with his Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, so we rejoice with him!