Rev. Thomas Harold Hjembo, 75, died peacefully at home on October 9, 2021. He was born in Staten Island, NY and moved to Flanders, NJ at age 7. He attended Hillside Lutheran Brethren Church where he met his wife, Judy.They were married in July of 1970 and moved to Minnesota, where Tom attended Lutheran Brethren Seminary.He earned his Masters of Divinity in 1973 and accepted his first call to ministry at The Mission Church of Paramus, NJ.During this time they welcomed the birth of their daughter Beth and son Matthew.
After serving The Mission Church from 1973 to 1982, he accepted a new call to minister at Cape Coral Lutheran Brethren Church in Florida.He ministered in Cape Coral for 9 years, and then received a call to serve The Mission Church once again.He spent the remainder of his ministry there, retiring at age 66.During his 40 years of ministry, he shared the love of God to everyone from children to seniors and served people in times of joy and in times of sorrow.Pastor Tom “PH” was always known to make people laugh, to feel encouraged and loved, and to point people to Christ.
In his retirement he enjoyed staying on his boat in Lake George and Gaither Homecoming Cruises with his family, but his favorite thing of all was spending time with his two grandsons.
He is survived by his wife Judith “Judy” (Salvesen) Hjembo of 51 years, and by his daughter Beth Laurel (and David) Droney of Little Falls, and son Matthew Eric (and Kyleen) Hjembo of Denton, TX. He also leaves behind his grandchildren, Samuel Droney and Nathan Droney, brothers, Ralph (and Gloria) Hjembo and David (and Wendy) Hjembo, and mother-in-law Bertha Salvesen.
The visitation will be held at Hillside Lutheran Brethren Church, 113 S. Hillside Avenue, Succasunna, on Saturday, October 16th, from 1 – 3 pm, and the funeral service will follow at the Church at 3 pm. Tom will be laid to rest at Restland Memorial Park Cemetery in East Hanover, NJ.In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Mission Church Memorial Fund via check or tithe.ly.
The Mission Church
128 N. Farview Ave.
Paramus, NJ 07652
201-265-1156
www.themissionchurch.org
https://tithe.ly/give_new/www/#/tithely/give-one-time/936048
Please specify “memorial”.
Arrangements are by the Davis & Hepplewhite Funeral Home, 96 Main Street, Succasunna, NJ 973-584-7264 (davishepplewhitefh.com)
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