Erling Teigland

Erling Teigland was born on February 22, 1924 in Oystese, Norway. He was the seventh of nine children born to Johannes Olavson Teigland and Marta Arnesdatter Berge. As a young boy, he loved roaming the hills and mountains surrounding the beautiful family farm. He took up skiing and became very skilled. A local ski jump provided the challenge and thrills he desired. He won several silver chalices as trophies from his expertise. Never one to back down from greater challenges, he once tried the most advanced ski jump. Upon landing, he found he had broken off the front tip of one ski. Though they searched, they never found that ski tip!

During World War II, Erling worked at various jobs in Sauda, eventually apprenticing as a plumber for his brother-in-law. After the war he met Annlaug Aasheim at the local Christian fellowship (bedehus). Their plans for a large family wedding celebration were cancelled at the last moment because of the drowning of Erling’s nephew. Erling and Anne were married in St. Petri’s Kirke in Stavanger on September 2, 1949 in the attendance of only one other couple, who served as their attendants and witnesses.

Because of scarcities after the war, Erling had to sell his skiing trophies in order to buy a ring for Anne. Anne had to sell several silver pieces given to her by her grandmother in order to buy a ring for Erling.

Three years later, in 1952, their first child, Marit, was born in Sauda, Norway.

Erling and Anne had a heart for those who did not know Jesus. Erling pursued the possibility of going to China as a missionary, but those doors were closed to all missionaries. When that plan no longer seemed possible, the young couple began dreaming about immigrating. They considered various locations in the United States and Canada. They knew many who had relocated in Ballard because the Seattle area was reminiscent of Western Norway.

In 1953, Erling and Nils Hammersmark came by boat to New York and then traveled to Washington. Six months later Anne and Marit, along with Helga, Eyvind, and Aashild Hammersmark came via freighter by way of the Panama Canal to join the family in Seattle. Erling worked as a plumber for Massart Plumbing and worked on several buildings at the University of Washington and later on the World’s Fair site.

In 1957, their daughter, Randi, was born in Seattle.

Erling and Anne began building houses at night and on weekends while he kept his day job as a plumber. They would build a house, move into it and then sell it. Eventually he made the decision to be a full time builder.

Their heart for evangelism led them to purchase six lots in Lynnwood to begin Maple Park Lutheran Brethren Church along with Henry and Louise Wathne, Ralph and Sigrid Snare, Phil and Marion Helaas, Bob Hosmer, and others. One of Erling’s greatest joys was the growth of that work under Harland and Mabel Helland and David and Dag Christenson. With distinct and different gifts and abilities, but with singleness of vision and purpose, these people became close friends, working faithfully and joyfully in the task.

Erling had a vision for starting other churches as well. Everett, Marysville, Mount Vernon, and Issaquah were all part of Erling’s vision and dream.

His construction business flourished. He built homes in Lynnwood, Seattle, Bellevue and southeast Alaska. Later the business expanded into commercial construction, building schools, banks, and hospitals in Alaska and a business park in Mukilteo. In 1979, the Teiglands started a furniture, gifts, and housewares store in Lynnwood. Teigland Interiors operated there until 1996.

In retirement, church planting was still a desire of Erling’s. In fact, he was a charter member of Grace Lutheran.

His beloved wife, Anne, preceded him in death in 2000. Since 2006, Erling resided at CRISTA. We are grateful for the care given to him by their staff over the years.

His family was all present with him on the afternoon of March 29th. We sang hymns, prayed, and gave him permission to go home to heaven. A few hours later he had his own triumphal entry on that Palm Sunday.

Erling is survived by Gary and Marit Stueckle, Anna Stueckle, Daniel and Lauren Stueckle, great-granddaughter Willa Stueckle; John and Randi Hendrix, David and Sarah Hendrix, Michael Hendrix and fiancée Emily Haight, and Nathaniel Hendrix.

Blessed be his memory!