Erling Jan Daastol

Born:  22 Feb 1931, _____, _____, Norway

Died:  16 Aug 2002, Eureka, Humboldt Co., California      Age 71 (leukemia)

Obituary:  Eureka Times-Standard:

   Erling Jan Daastol died of leukemia at the age of 71 at his home in Eureka on Friday, August 16, 2002. He was born February 22, 1931 in Norway, the son of Einar and Jenny Daastol.
   He immigrated to Eureka in 1949 living with the Rudolph Matsen family. Friends arranged a blind date and he met the girl of his dreams. He married Colleen Verna Tirsbeck on November 9, 1951 and made the United States his home. He became a citizen on November 16, 1954.
   Four months after marrying he was drafted into the United States Army during the Korean Conflict serving in Germany using his gift of languages in the war effort. On returning from the Korean Conflict he worked in the plywood mill and various other jobs while getting his teaching credential from Humboldt State College. After graduation he taught at Junior and Senior High School in multiple subjects for 30 years primarily teaching German. During that time he furthered his education in languages here and in Germany. In 1984, Erling was awarded a Master of Arts in Education from Humboldt State University. Erling enjoyed teaching. He tutored, taught night school and even had a very special class teaching Norwegian at the Sons of Norway Lodge before his death.
   Erling is survived by Colleen, his loving wife of 50 years; his children and grandchildren Phillip Daastol and wife Linda and stepsons Aaron Francis of Lebanon, Oregon and Ryan Francis of Eureka, Jana Brown and her fiancé Dennis Jones and Jana's children Holly and Tara also of Eureka, Karen Nichols and husband Steve and their children Emily, Samuel and John of Auburn, CA. He is also survived by his father Einar Daastol, sister Olga Log and husband Sivert, sister Sonja Heaton all of Eureka, Uncle Oskar Ommundsen of Norway, Uncle Dagfin Daastol of Seattle, Washington, his much loved mother-in-law Anne Tirsbeck of Eureka, son-in-law George Brown of McKinleyville, brother and sister-in-law Richard and Kay Tirsbeck of Ferndale, sister-in-law Velma Tirsbeck of Eureka, many nieces and nephews in Eureka and Norway and wonderful friends.
   Erling was preceded in death by his mother, Jenny Pauline Daastol and sister Judith Egeland and her daughter Aina.
   Erling was a long-time member of Calvary Lutheran Church of Eureka and Eureka Nazarene Church. He was a devoted Christian serving God faithfully in both these churches and in full time ministry as a church parish director in Norway. He was also a life time member of Eureka's Fram 13, Sons of Norway Lodge.
   Above all, Erling was a Christian husband and father and devoted friend to many of all ages. He was a teacher, a great storyteller and loved telling jokes. Enjoying writing, traveling, reading, fishing and woodworking, he could turn his hand to just about anything. He lived a full life but it was much too short.
   In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to American Cancer Society, Humboldt-Del Norte Unit, 2942 F St. Eureka or Hospice of Humboldt, 2010 Myrtle Ave., Eureka.
   Visitation is Tuesday, August 20, 2002 at Sanders Funeral Home, 1835 E St. ,Eureka, 3-8 p.m. The memorial service will be at Eureka Nazarene Church, 2039 E St., Eureka on Wednesday, August 21, 2002 at 11 a.m. with Pastor Steve Berti officiating with a reception to follow. There will be a private interment at Ocean View Cemetery.
   Pallbearers will be George Owren, John Call, Keith Darling, Ralph Matsen, Ron Keller, Rrandy Crockett.

ERLING JAN DAASTOL CPL US ARMY KOREA FEB 22 1931   +   AUG 16 2002 BELOVED SON HUSBAND & FATHER

Memorial Day 2015

Return to Fram 13 Cemetery Page