John Wold
October 4, 1922 - July 20, 2014
Obituary
John Wold, 91, passed away on Sunday, July 20th, 2014 in Seattle. He was born on October 4, 1922 in Vigrestad, Norway to Ole and Marie Vold. He was the third of seven children in the family. As a child he lived and worked on the family farm in Vigrestad. Just after WWII he served in the Norwegian Army and was honorably discharged. At the age of 25 in 1948, he immigrated to the United States traveling on the Queen Mary from Southampton, England to New York and then by train to Seattle.
John worked in a logging camp in Missoula Montana with other Norwegian immigrants in 1949. From 1950 to 1959 he worked in the fishing industry in Alaska both in the canneries and on fishing boats. In the off season he worked at Detail Millwork Door Factory in the Fremont area of Seattle. From 1960-1967, he worked for the Space Saver Door Factory in Mountlake Terrace. He worked there until September of 1967 when he was hired as a Longshoreman on Seattle Waterfront and was a proud member of the ILWU-PMA, Local 19 for 20 years until his retirement in 1987. No matter what he did, John had a good work ethic and was sought after by his employers. He even said once that he couldn’t get a vacation when he returned from Alaska because his boss at the door factory was glad he answered the phone and wanted him back the next day.
In 1955 John met Eldbjorg Kristiansen through mutual friends at the Sons of Norway in Seattle. They courted for two years and were married in 1957 at Ballard First Lutheran Church. They were married for forty two years until Eldbjorg passed away in 1999.
In his retirement years John enjoyed visiting “Kaffestua” at the Sons of Norway in Ballard. It was there that he made new friends and enjoyed playing the accordion for others, enjoying the camaraderie and culture of their Norwegian Heritage. John was also an avid fan of soccer. If there was a game on T.V. he was most likely watching it. “Far Far” as he was known also enjoyed spending special times with his grandson, Evan whom he adored.
John is survived by his son Erik, daughter-in-law Beverly, grandson Evan of Mukilteo, his sisters Solveig (Egil), Gerd (Kjell) and Mary all of Norway, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins all of Norway.
John is preceded in death by his wife Eldbjorg of Seattle, parents Ole & Marie Vold, brother, Gunnar (Halldis), and sisters Bodil (Trygve), and Johanna (Harald) all of Norway.
Tusen takk to Valborg (Val) Nordbo and many thanks to the staff of Norse Home, Foss Home, Group Health and Virginia Mason Hospital.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to: Sons of Norway, Norse Home, or a charity of your choice in John’s name.
Dear John & Bev & Evan: My thoughts and prayers are with you. Please let me know if there is anything that you need.
Love, Ann Margaret
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Let us know how we can help.
What a wonderful write-up about his life and picture with Evan.
Know that you are in our thoughts.
John was an excellent worker and a good union member.
There have been dramatic changes on the Seattle waterfront since
John retired. The good times and the close fellowship are long gone. John, you made your mark and you aimed high. You will be missed. Your friend, John Fisher
It is now 33 years since I first met John during my first visit to Seattle.
Over the years it has been many visits, in later years also with my family. Since I often visited in the autumn I have had the pleasure to be at many of John`s birthdays, the last one was his 90th.
John was alway nice to visit, he was an interesting man to talk to, well up to date in most areas, and had clear and strong opinions in politics.
The picture is from his birthday in 2007 where he is enjoying himself with the kids. As always he would not look at the camera…
This is how we will remember John.
Karen, Ulise, Ellen and Einar
Erik and Bev and family , our heart goes out to you . You are in our thoughts and prayers. Take care. Love T and L.
We will always remember John as being the kind neighbor who kept us entertained with his accordion playing, witty comments and creative ways of addressing issues (using a vacuum cleaner to suck up wasps as they returned to their nest in his planter). He will be missed. Our thoughts are with you Erik, Beverly, Evan and the rest of his family during this time of loss.
Alan, Jill, Garrett & Gavin Langer
I was a longshore foreman, and when I saw John comeing to my job I was very happy and knew the work would be done right. He definately practiced a great work etihic. I never saw John play the accordian , but he had good timing. I am sorry John did not have more time with his family. I am glad I had lunch with John at the Norse Home. A good man.