Obituary

Lou Arestad, passed away Sunday, January 24th, after ongoing battles with heart issues. He was 53 years old. Lou was a long-time businessman in Ferndale, WA.   Lou was an orphan in Tien Phuoc Vietnam during Vietnam War and was cared for and mentored by members of U.S. Army’s B Battery 3rd Battalion 16th Field Artillery unit in South Vietnam. In the early 70’s Laura Arestad was watching CBS news correspondent Bill Plante interview Lou in Vietnam. Lou told Bill he wanted to be adopted by an American family.  While watching the story Laura stated to her children” Come see your new brother on T.V.!” After arriving in the United State in 1973, Lou was adopted into the Christian home of Leif and Laura Arestad and was raised on the dairy farm at Ferndale WA. Lou graduated from Ferndale High School in 1984 and went on to graduate from college.  Lou worked in banking and then started Lou Arestad Accounting business in 1988.  In 1996 Lou added another business; Little Lou’s Construction. Lou had a good life living in America and more importantly he lived the American dream. Lou hosted some pretty good barbecues and was known by his family and friends as having a sense of humor and a little guy with a big heart. Lou enjoyed fishing, socializing with friends and family and enjoyed traveling, including trips to Las Vegas to meet with his 16th Artillery Unit G.I. buddies.  Lou was quick witted and people enjoyed his sense of humor.  Lou’s best friends were Bill Collier and brother Steve. The Arestad family would like to thank Lou’s close friend and construction boss Bill Collier, Su Nuntalogawithoon owner of Lux Thai restaurant, brother Steve, sister Debbie, Lou’s niece Jamie Arestad and Misty Mostrom. They were close friends with Lou and all spent a lot of their personal time helping Lou anyway they could. Survivors are brothers, James, Stuart Steve, John and David, sisters, Jill Nolan, Kim Loop, Julie Beaver, Debbie Leavy and Joanne Knight and numerous nieces and nephews. Lou was proceeded in death by his parents Lief Arestad in 1987 and  Laura Arestad in 2010, brother Eric in 1989 and sister Erin in 2014.  A celebration of life will be held at Fox Hall, Monday February 8th at 10:00 AM, 3985 Bennett Drive, Bellingham WA 98225 . In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to  Disabled Americans Veterans Charitable Trust or Wounded Warriors Family Support.