Solyst, Jalmer (1909-2013)
SOLYST, HOLM, DEJONG, BELSHEIM
Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 2/6/2013 at 21:34:50
Jalmer Solyst
September 12, 1909 - January 1, 2013FOREST CITY - Jalmer Solyst, age 103, of Forest City, died on Tuesday, January 1, 2013, at the Lake Mills Care Center in Lake Mills, Iowa.
Jalmer Mandius Solyst was born on September 12, 1909, at McCallsburg, Iowa, the son of John and Minnie (Holm) Solyst. He was baptized at St. John’s Lutheran Church of Belmond, Iowa, by his great uncle, Dr. H. C. Holm, vice president of the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America. For a short time, the family lived in Belmond, Iowa, and then later moved to Forest City, Iowa. Jalmer's first lessons in Sunday school were in the Norwegian language. A very active member of the church's children's choir, he was confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran in Forest City.
During his childhood years, Jalmer was significantly affected by a scarlet fever epidemic rampant in the country at the time. As a result of this illness, he suffered from hearing loss. In spite of several attempts to address this handicap, the condition only worsened. Indeed, the electrical treatment he received from a local chiropractor resulted in the development of mastoids accompanied by severe pain. With this kind of handicap, Jalmer found school increasingly difficult, and with no special help or considerations, he withdrew from school halfway through his tenth grade year.
As the years passed, Jalmer and his older brother Holm entered into a farming partnership. With the advent of World War II, Jalmer left the farm and worked in a defense plant in Des Moines for a short time. With his interest in cars, he studied up on auto mechanics and was employed by the Chevolet garage in Forest City. At the conclusion of the war, he bought a farm and engaged again in his first love. A good steward of the land he owned, Jalmer received an honor for his conservation practices after several years from the state of Iowa.
Farming gave Jalmer’s creative mind the opportunity to produce a number of small tools to make his farming practice easier and more efficient. To his credit, he obtained United States patents for two of them.
Jalmer loved children. Whenever he saw a child crying, he was there to comfort. Whenever a child needed help, he was there to help. If a child wanted someone with whom to play, Jalmer's playful spirit was always there. He was also very well known for his kindness toward anyone he met, always available wherever needed and wherever he could help. He came to the aid of his family members, his neighbors, and even strangers. A friend to all, he was always ready to comfort, console, or help anyone in trouble.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Minnie Solyst; a brother, Holm Solyst; and his sisters, Harriet DeJong and Jannethe Solyst. He is survived by a brother, Ephraim Solyst, of Kerkhoven, Minnesota; and a sister, Wilma Belsheim, of Lake Mills, Iowa, as well as several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, January 11, 2013, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest City with Pastor Rod Hopp officiating. Visitation will be held at the church one hour prior to services. He will be laid to rest in the Oakland Cemetery, Forest City, Iowa.
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