John R. Gyllstrom

- Jan. 17, 2016

Born in Park Forest, Ill., to Roy and Betty Gyllstrom, John grew up in Milwaukie, Ore. The middle child of seven, he saw the best in everyone and eagerly participated in sports and family activities throughout his youth, followed by a long and successful career in sales with Western Paper Co. in Portland, Ore.

In 1974, John met Bobbie Jo Mraz of Colton and they spent many weekends skiing at Mount Hood and vacationing in many different favorite spots. They married in 1977. After his retirement in 1999, they eventually moved from Portland to Lewiston to be close to Bobbie's family on their farm in Colton. John joined, with eager participation, the family farm activities, including the annual sausage production and frequent celebrations. He enthusiastically pursued outdoor sports, hunting and competing with a group of fellow fishermen in the early morning hours to catch the biggest steelhead, and took a guided fishing trip to Alaska with best friend, Kenny.

John lost his beloved Bobbie to cancer in 2010. He sought to repay the compassionate support he received from hospice staff at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, volunteering his time and becoming chairman of the hospice advisory board, serving until his death. His own experience earlier with cancer reinforced his desire to support this valued service organization. "John was a selfless ambassador who was able to communicate with empathy and amazing grace," according to Betty Weeks, volunteer and bereavement coordinator.

John was very funny, finding humor and a silver lining in everything; grateful for all and everyone. He generously shared his time with others in need.

He is survived by his dear friend, Stephanie Froelich; the Gyllstrom family - father Roy of Gladstone, Ore.; brothers Jim (Gayle) of Twentynine Palms, Calif., Bill (Darlene) of Canby, Ore., Bob of Spokane; and sisters Linda (Jerry) Wright and Ellen of Portland Ore., and Joan (Kevin) Pantano of Milwaukie; and the Mraz family - mother-in-law Virginia Mraz Dahmen of Lewiston; and the Mraz brothers-in-law, John (Marilyn) of Spokane, Tim (Corki) of Richland, and Jerry and Jim of Colton.

A celebration of his life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Gall Cemetery on Johnson Road in Colton. A luncheon will follow at the Colton Gun Club. The family expresses deep appreciation of hospice staff and intensive care unit staff who offered extraordinary care at St Joseph Regional Medical Center. Contributions may be made to Hospice Care, St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, 4115 Sixth St., Lewiston, ID 83501, or at www.SJRMC.org.