Sr. Gerhard Theodore Alexis was one of seven children born to an itinerant Swedish Lutheran minister, Alexis dedicated his life to the music of the church as an organist, composer, arranger, singer and choral conductor. His early studies and positions led him from Rock Island, Illinois, to Ishpeming, Michigan, toLincoln, Nebraska, where he studied at the University School of Music and served as organist at the First Lutheran Church (1911-14).