John Arvild Fister's Obituary
After 97 productive and loving years, John Arvild Fister of Gig Harbor, WA, joined his Lord Jesus, his wife, Jeane and beloved family and friends on June 2, 2017 with his family by his side. John was born on September 29, 1919 in Tacoma, WA to his caring parents John, from Fister, Norway, and Severine (Dybevik).
John began his carrier as a builder, and following his WWII service he became a builder again. The landscape from Seattle to Olympia contains hundreds of homes, churches, and commercial buildings that he designed and built. He wrote the program and taught carpentry at Bates Vocational-Technical School for 10 years. He was a past president of The Master Builders Association., and helped judge many apprenticeship contests. In later years he made scores of friends at local farmer's markets selling his sensibly designed furniture.
A lifelong Lutheran and a man of quiet, unshakable faith, he was proud of his Norwegian heritage.
He is survived by his children: Elaine Erickson (Charles), Kathleen Collins (Jimmy), Duane Fister (Lynn); grandchildren: Claire Jordan (David), Scott Erickson Megan), Andrew Collins (Allyson), Lael Gray (Travis), Julianne McLain (Andrew), John Fister (Alyssa), Rebecca Collins (Max); great grandchildren: Alex and Evan Jordan, Brandon and Audrey Erickson, Kari, Nick, Matthew and Eli Collins, Jayden and Kyla Gatewood, Cai and Findley Gray, Matyus, Marjorie and Mason McLain, Owen Fister-Warren. He is also survived by step-children Tom Adams, Anne Mullen (David), and step-grandchildren Katie and Sean Mullen, and one step-great grandchild, Eric Putaansuu. He loved as Jesus did, unconditionally.
A memorial service will be held at Redeemer Lutheran, 1001 Princeton in Fircrest on June 24, 2017 at 1:00 pm. Family and friends kindly invited.
Donations in John's memory may be made to Redeemer Lutheran.
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