Thursday, October 1, 2026
Charles N. Elven (Chuck/Chas) was born on January 26, 1938. He died peacefully in Glendale, Arizona, on December 7, 2025.
Born to Charles and Jean Elven, second-generation Swedish immigrants, Chuck was raised in Preston, Washington. His younger sister, Marjorie Stenstrom of Massachusetts, passed in 2022. He is survived by daughter Carin, son Eric, son-in-law Chris, daughter-in-law Aileen, and grandsons Evan and Hayden.
Chuck attended Issaquah HS, class of 1956. He then attended Bethel College in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he met his beloved wife, Joyce, of 45 years. Chuck and Joyce went on to attend Central in Ellensburg, earning degrees in elementary education. Later, Chuck graduated from Berkeley Baptist Divinity School with a Masters of Divinity.
Chuck spent his life and career in service to others. He was a pastor of several churches, including JBC Seattle (interim), Good Shepherd Baptist in Lynnwood, and Oak Lake Baptist in North Seattle. In the 1970s, he became a founding member of The House Church Network of Greater Seattle.
In addition to leading churches, Chuck also worked as a marriage, family, and individual counselor, hospital chaplain, and as a wedding and memorial service officiate. He practiced what he termed "The Social Gospel."
As a people person, Chuck would often say, “It’ll be good to be together.” As such, he loved sharing a meal or strong cup of coffee, taking in live music, or following a good story in the form of a television show, movie, or book. He also loved sports drama. “Go Hawks!” “Let’s Go Mariners!” etc., and was particularly fond of a too-close-to-call Formula 1 racing season.
Chuck was a proud resident of Edmonds for over 50 years, where he and Joyce owned a home and raised their family. Joyce passed in 2006. In his later years, he became a regular at the Edmonds Senior Center and a “snow bird,” enjoying a second home, new friends, and new activities like water aerobics in Mesa, Arizona.
Chuck was nearly always available – to answer the phone; to meet for a meal or cup of coffee; to take in a movie; to enjoy a glass of wine on the patio; or simply to lend a hand, or an ear. His presence, love, and friendship will be missed by many.
A celebration of life has been set for May 2 at Edmonds United Methodist Church at 2 p.m.
