LeRoy Norman Kvistad

LeRoy Norman Kvistad went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on October 4th, 2012. Born to Ole & Marie Kvistad on May 25, 1924 in Halstad, Minnesota, LeRoy was the youngest of five boys. The family moved to Bellingham in the 1930’s, where LeRoy and his brothers grew to manhood. LeRoy enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the age of 17 during World War II, achieving the rate of Petty Officer Third Class before medical issues forced his early discharge. He held several jobs in his 20’s and 30’s, including employment as an Alaskan fisherman, U.S. Forestry Service worker, and Optician at Western Optical in Bellingham. He married Betty L. Badgley on February 21, 1953 in Bellingham, where the couple raised two daughters, Joanna and Laurie. Due to increasing service-related medical problems that began to affect his ability to provide a living for his family, LeRoy was granted 100% disability status by the Veteran’s Administration in 1967, relieving the family’s financial burden. LeRoy was a fighter, overcoming his disability with courage and determination. During that time frame, LeRoy accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior after watching a televised Billy Graham crusade broadcast, becoming a faithful follower of the Lord up until his death. Family and friends knew LeRoy as a great story-teller who was proud of his family, country, military service, and his Norwegian heritage, visiting that country once to visit relatives. A gregarious person, LeRoy could talk to strangers and make them feel as though they had been best friends for years. He was also a man of his word; a simple handshake to him meant a bond. An avid self-taught woodworker and carpenter, LeRoy could be found in his beloved little workshop in the garage under the house, creating furniture and all manner of other practical knick-knacks. Not one to lie around twiddling his thumbs, LeRoy was always involved in either furniture-making or remodeling the family home, which he turned into a showpiece over almost 50 years. LeRoy is survived by his bride of 59 years, Betty Kvistad, daughters Joanna (Grant) Wilson & Laurie (Bruce) Gentry, grandchildren Matthew Wilson, Nicole Jones, Sarah Gifford, Tyler Gentry, Andrew Wilson, and Nathan Wilson, and great-grandchildren Cyrus Gentry, Grace Wilson, Margaret Wilson, and Ayda Jones. He is preceded in death by his parents, Ole & Marie Kvistad, and brothers Oscar, Hetman, Robert, & Clark Kvistad. A memorial service will be on Saturday, Oct. 13th, at Living Hope Fellowship on the Smith Road at 3:00 p.m. A private graveside service is being held at Geenacres Memorial Park Please share your thoughts and memories of LeRoy by clicking view memorial and sign guest book. Farewell Tribute Information A memorial service will be held Saturday, October 13th, 3:00 p.m. at Living Hope Fellowship at 824 West Smith Road.

LeRoy Norman Kvistad

May 25, 1924 - October 4, 2012