Bishop Scott Dalen

The 5^th Bishop of the Western Iowa Synod, Pastor Scott Dalen was elected in June of 2025, beginning his 6-year term in September.  Dalen is a native of Western Iowa, having been born and raised just outside of Wallingford. He was baptized and confirmed at Bethel Lutheran in Graettinger.  Dalen earned an Associate Degree in Environmental Science from Iowa Lakes Community College in Estherville in 1999, and transferred to Iowa State University in Ames, graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Horticulture in 2001.

Dalen settled in the Okoboji area after college, where he married Emily O’Brion. They welcomed 2 children during their 10 years in the area. During this time, Dalen began Seminary Education through Luther Seminary’s Distributed Learning Program. The family relocated to the Twin Cities in late 2010.  Dalen served his year of internship at Prairie Lutheran Church in Eden Prairie, MN in 2011-12, before finishing his Masters of Divinity Degree and graduating from Luther in 2013.

Dalen was called as Pastor of Underwood Lutheran Church in Underwood, beginning in mid-2013. He served the congregation in the pastoral role until his election and subsequent transition into the role of Bishop. He now lives in Council Bluffs with his wife Emily, who serves as Pastor of St Paul Lutheran in Treynor.