Tjostem, John Leander 1935 - 2024

TJOSTEM, CARLSON, VOXLAND, CHRISTOPHERSON, COLLINGWOOD, KEPHART, DOBNEY, TJOSSEM-HENRIK, HENNING, MOHR, JOHNSON, SCHUELER

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 8/30/2024 at 15:11:54

U. S. Veteran
John Tjostem age 89 of Decorah, IA passed away on Friday, August 23, 2024, at Aase Haugen Senior Services in Decorah.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, August 29, 2024, at Decorah Lutheran Church, 309 Winnebago Street, Decorah, IA with Rev. Peter Kowitz presiding. Burial will be in the Lutheran Cemetery in Decorah.

John's service can be watched at the following link: https://youtube.com/live/JJs45AXMR44?feature=share

There is no visitation prior to the service on Thursday. Attendees are invited to a luncheon in the church basement following the service to share memories and celebrate John’s life.

In lieu of flowers: memorials may go to Luther College, Decorah Lutheran Church or Aase Haugen Senior Services in memory of John.

John Leander Tjostem was born on June 6th, 1935, in South Dakota to Carl and Linda (Carlson) Tjostem. John grew up on a family farm in Veblen SD, attended a one room schoolhouse and graduated Veblen High School in 1953. John had one sister, Sylvia Christopherson. The Tjostem farm raised mostly wheat and other grains. It was his upbringing on the farm that led John to learn many skills (carpentry, mechanics, plumbing, electrical, gardening) that served him well later in his life.

John attended Whapeton School of Science for from 1953-1955, then to Concordia College graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in 1959. John taught high school at Newfolden, MN 1959-60. John was in the National Guard – Army Reserve from 1958-62. John completed his master’s degree in 1962 from North Dakota State University in Microbiology. He started a teaching position that fall at Luther College in Decorah, IA. John returned to NDSU in 1966 and completed his PhD in 1968. He then accepted a permanent position at Luther College as a professor in Biology. John took sabbaticals to Bergen, Norway, Fargo, ND and LaCrosse, WI, studying well water and Lyme’s disease. John was recognized by the state of Iowa for his contribution to the Iowa ground water protection act. His expertise in immunology led him to becoming a sought-after speaker and educator on AIDS awareness. John was a passionate and dedicated professor who considered his colleagues not only as friends, but family. John retired from Luther College in 2000. The Luther biology department was a close-knit group that enjoyed potlucks together during his tenure, eventually leading to weekly breakfasts in retirement and many traveling adventures.

John married Karen (Voxland) on June 24, 1961, and together they had three children. Paul (Anne), David (Kathy), Ann (Jim Kephart). John was the proud grandpa to seven grandchildren, Allison, Peter, Linnea, Andrew, Kaitlin, Kasia, and Patrick. Six great grandchildren. Henrik, Iver, Sigrid, Soren, John and Leander. Last month welcomed Sean, Logan and Joey to the family.

John and Karen purchased a small cabin in 1966 in Vining, MN where they enjoyed their summers. John used his craftsmanship to remodel and enlarge the cabin multiple times over their 63 years of marriage, leaving a wonderful place to vacation. He also enjoyed many years at a family cabin in Ely, MN. John loved working on projects, remodeling their Decorah home, restoring his father’s 1950 GMC pickup truck, and gardening.

John was an active member at Decorah Lutheran Church and served on many committees. He was a member of Lion’s Club, volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, and during Nordic Fest led troll walks and drove the Pokey Pete children’s train. During his retirement years, John loved to take daily walks with his dogs. He greatly enjoyed educating himself and others on nuclear energy and was a strong advocate for the use of efficient forms of energy.

John was preceded in death by his son David and brother-in-law Ed Christopherson. Family left to live his legacy- wife Karen, son Paul & Anne Collingwood, daughter Ann & Jim Kephart, and daughter-in-law Kathy Dobney. Grandchildren & great grandchildren Allison & Andrew Tjossem- Henrik, Iver, Sigrid and Soren, Peter & Alice Kephart- John, Linnea & Dylan Henning- Leander, Andrew Kephart and Gracie Mohr, Kaitlin Tjostem, Patrick Johnson, and Kasia Johnson, Sean, Logan (Madison) & Joseph Collingwood. Sister Syliva Christopherson and nephew Mark Christopherson and niece Sara Schueler and their families. Brother-in-law Phil Voxland.

Source: Helms Funeral Home database

Lutheran Decorah Cemetery
 

Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Jeff Getchell.
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