Obituary

Pearle Emily Kvistad, 95, went home to her Lord Monday, April 13, 2015 at 11:35 am at the Mt Baker Care Facility in Fairhaven. She was born in Bellingham May 10, 1919 to her parents, William and Ida Franklin and grew up in the home next to the bridge on Northwest Ave.
When she was young, she broke her wrist in a fall. The attending Dr. didn’t set it right and she lived with an attention getting right angle that you couldn’t help but ask, “What happened? Does it hurt?” But this didn’t slow her down. Pearle succeeded through her school years graduating with Honors.
She met Clark Kvistad, a handsome young man from Halstad, MN and the two became an item. They married Jan. 18, 1939. They had two sons. Clark and Darryl. Pearle was proud that her two sons, their spouses, all three grandchildren, and their spouses all have university degrees.
In 1953, Pearle became a sales clerk for JC Penney Co., and retired in 1985. She was a fashionista. She was always dressed to the nine’s. She loved singing and performing with the Sweet Adelines and her Quartet. She also sang in her church choir and volunteered for her church. She was musically gifted and played several instruments. She played piano, organ, and keyboard by ear. She also played the accordion, harmonica, guitar, and the ukulele. She loved to entertain. Much time was spent gardening and growing beautiful flowers and vegetables.
Pearle and Clark traveled through the Western U.S. many times camping in 1000 Trails Parks and making several trips to the Palm Desert area, to visit Clark and Janet. They visited most states, Canada and Mexico and a trip to Norway.
Pearle was preceded in death by her parents Ida and William Franklin, her two brothers Howard and Wesley Franklin, and an infant sister, Dixiana.
She is survived by Clark and Janet Kvistad of Edmonds, their children Cathy and Paul Christensen of Ballard, their two children Ava and Lars; Michael and Jamie Kvistad of Edmonds, their two children Eugenia and Alaina; Darryl and Maggie Kvistad of Bow/Edison and their daughter, Lynna of Melbourne, AUS.
We will greatly miss her and she will forever be in our hearts.
A graveside service will commence at 09:30 am Saturday, April 25, 2015 at Greenacres Memorial Park in Ferndale. A memorial service will follow at Birchwood Presbyterian Church at 11:00 am. followed by a time of fellowship in the foyer.
We would like to acknowledge and thank the staff, nurses and caregivers at Mt Baker Care Center for providing excellent care during the last few months. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made in Pearle’s memory to the Birchwood Presbyterian Church or a charity of your choice.