Arthur J. Lystad's Obituary
J. Arthur Lystad passed away on December 1st, 2019 at Puget Sound Healthcare Center in Olympia, WA at 89 years young. He lived the last 4 years of life with his Son and family in McCleary, WA. Art was known by all as a generous and caring person, whose life was spent doing good for others. He will be deeply missed.
Art (or Red as he was called by close family) was born on August 27, 1930 in Bonners Ferry, Idaho to Ethel Mabel (Connolly) and Joseph Arthur Lystad. Art’s dad was a chef and owned a restaurant in Tacoma, where he required his sons to wash the dishes. Art later told his wife he had done enough dishes for his whole life and rarely helped with that chore after they were married.
Art’s mother, Ethel married Conardo Velez in Aug of 1933. Art’s brother Conrad joined the family in 1936, and Rachel, John, Harry, James, Patricia, and Stephan followed, each spaced approximately 2 years apart. In 1943, Art’s dad, Joseph, married Fern (Ames) Ledbetter.
Some of Art’s school years were spent in Bonners Ferry, and some in Tacoma. He graduated officially from Lincoln High School, but also participated in the graduation ceremonies in Bonners Ferry. At some point in life he worked in the woods logging, but after several relatives were injured or killed he decided not to make logging his career. He went to Electronics school in Chicago.
Art’s best friend in Bonners Ferry was LaVoy Cotterell, whose sister eventually won Art’s heart. On October 10th 1952, Art married his high school sweetheart, Beverly June Cotterell in Moscow, Idaho. Early in their marriage Art and Bev lived in several places in Northern Idaho and Spokane area. The first three of their children, William and twins Michael and Betty, were born in Moscow Idaho, where Bev’s parents lived. Michael was a special spirit who was too weak to survive the flu epidemic in 1957. Their fourth child, Terry, who lived less than 24 hours, was born in Bonners Ferry.
In Bonners Ferry, Art was active in Jaycees and loved playing Smokey Bear for the parade riding in an old antique fire truck. Art told his wife he would join her church when he was ready and actually was called as a Cub Master in Bonners Ferry Ward before he joined. He was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in early 1960’s and on June 20th, 1964 they were sealed to each other and their four children for time and all eternity in the Cardston Alberta Temple.
They eventually moved to Spokane where Art worked for Electro Mart servicing televisions. In 1967, Art moved his family to Tacoma Washington, to work at Television Service Center. He worked there until he retired in approximately 1995.
Art served as an Ordinance worker in the Seattle Temple from 1980-2013, except during the time he served as Bishop of the Tacoma 14th Ward and during his Employment Center Mission with Beverly. Art lost his beloved Beverly to Alzheimer’s in 2014 and was also starting to have dementia issues of his own. After a hospital stay in 2015 he went to live with William and Karen in McCleary WA.
Art loved his family, friends, and faith, and spent much time in service to them. One of his favorite things was to help others by donating blood on a regular basis. Art was an avid bowler and worked as a “pinsetter” while living in Tacoma before trade school. He also enjoyed travel, hunting, fishing and sports, especially basketball and softball. Playing on church teams into his 70’s, he kept up with the
much younger players. They loved to go driving all over the country to see their kids and grandkids. He also loved reading; church books and westerns being his favorites.
Art was preceded in death by his beloved wife Beverly; his parents and stepparents; siblings; Conrad, Harry and Patricia Velez; children Michael and Terry; granddaughter Danielle Pickett. He is survived by siblings; Rachel, John, James, and Stephan. Also son William Lystad (Karen)of McCleary WA, and their children Dawn Young (David), Jenifer Jackson (Wes) , Amy, Carl, James(Leah) and David(Renee); His daughter Betty Lystad from Missoula, MT (ex: Carl Pickett) and their daughter Christine Meaney . Art spoiled not only his Grandchildren, but all of his 17 Great-Grandchildren as well. Beverly’s family whom he loved and many nieces and nephews will miss him also.
His memorial service (no viewing) will be held at 1pm on December 27th, 2019 at the Tacoma South Stake Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2455 South 78th Street Tacoma, WA. Burial will be beside his wife and 2 children in Grandview Cemetery, Bonners Ferry, ID.
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