Mel was born the third child of Henry and Mary Jarstad December 30th, 1923 in Medicine Lake, Montana. He joined the Marines, June 28th, 1942, at age 17 during World War II and saw intense action on the island of Iwo Jima. He saw the famous flag raising on Mt Suribachi and has a prized oil painting depicting the event. Mel married Lorraine Etta Kippo, June 21st, 1947, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Bremerton, Washington.
Mel’s career as a pipe fitter at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard spanned twenty-three years. He started as an apprentice in 1948 and retired in 1971 as a General Foreman in Shop 56. He then sold real estate for several years in the Hood Canal area of Mason County.
Over the years Mel’s family lived in Bremerton, Belfair and Union. With their sons grown, Mel and wife Lorraine moved to eastern Washington, living for a while in Starbuck, Dayton and Leavenworth, finally moving to Wenatchee in 2011.
Mel played basketball in his younger years and greatly enjoyed alpine skiing, joining the Bremerton Ski Cruisers around 1950 and helping to establish the ski club cabin at Stevens Pass. He was an avid hunter of upland game birds, deer and elk. In later years Mel and Lorraine enjoyed golf and cross-country skiing.
He is survived by his wife, Lorraine, of Wenatchee and his two adult sons: Kenneth of Bremerton and Eric of Shelton, Washington.
The family is especially appreciate of Mel’s home caregiver Joanna Reid for the attention Mel received as his health declined over the last year.
A memorial service will be held at Ward’s Funeral Chapel, 303 Pine Street in Leavenworth, Washington on Thursday, March 13th at 10 AM. Mel will be buried with military honors in the family plot at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Bremerton, Washington, 1 PM, Friday, March 14th.
Papa Jarstad was only my father in law for two years, however he was a warm, kind, humorous,loving man! Lorriane and Melford upon meeting asked me what I would like to call them and I said mom and dad. They'er response was and we will call you daughter. That in a nut shell is the Jarstads! Just a side note papa could have passed for my fathers' brother. My father was also retired military and he and papa had so, so much in common. However Dick passed in my arms in 2010. I really wish they could of known each other hear on earth. However I know my father was there waiting for Melford when he passed to welcome him to heaven. I would like to ask everyone to say special prayers for Lorriane as she journeys thru life without Melford. May the GOOD LORD KEEP HER IN HIS LOVING ARMS NOW AND FOREVER MORE, AMEN! I would like to thank Ken and Baneta for creating this blog and all the other things they have helped the family with! So long for now Melford, may you rest in peace until we meet in heaven, I LOVE YOU and will miss your smile. ALOHA
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