Jean Ista

Jean Ista, 81, Colfax, ND passed away peacefully on Monday, September 26, 2011 at Sanford Palliative Care, Fargo, ND, surrounded by her loving family. Funeral services will be on Saturday, October 1, 2011 at 11:00 AM at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Colfax, ND with Rev. Roger Reinhart officiating. Visitation will be on Friday from 4 PM to 7 PM with a prayer service at 7 PM at Vertin-Munson Funeral Home Wahpeton, ND. There will also be visitation one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at St. Paul's Lutheran Cemetery, Mooreton, ND.

Jean was born August 7, 1930, in Breckenridge, MN, to John and Meryl (Evenson) Skovholt. She grew up on the family farm east of Mooreton, ND and graduated from Wahpeton High School in 1948. Jean graduated from NDSSS in 1949 and worked at the Richland County Court House for the County Agent. In November 1950, she married Richard Ista and moved to Colfax, ND, where she was still actively farming.

Jean's greatest joy was being surrounded by her family and always looked forward to the Skovholt family reunions. Jean was active in community service all of her life and spent countless hours fundraising and volunteering. She was instrumental in the building of the Colfax Community Center and the Colfax Swimming Pool and donated land to the city of Colfax for the park and tennis courts.

Jean was a member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Colfax and her faith was the center of her life. Jean made hundreds of quilts for Churches United for the Homeless, YWCA and many area organizations – her quilts became a staple gift for area graduates, babies, and weddings. Jean was active in the Dem-NPL party and kept a close watch on local and national events.

Jean is survived by her two daughters: Laurie Johnson, Ada, MN and Robin (Jim) Caspers, Colfax, ND; six grandchildren: Nick (Danielle) Aldrich, Chad (Theresa Tillotson) Aldrich, all of Ada, MN; Jacob Caspers, Breckenridge, MN; Joe (Allison) Caspers, Fargo, ND; Kali (Sam) Heyen, Walcott, ND; and Jenna Oestreich, Fargo, ND; and five great grandchildren: Skye, Harry, Lettie, Lainey and Willa Grace; many cousins, nieces and nephews and her special "Moms" lunch group that had been meeting since 1976.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents John and Meryl Skovholt.

In Lieu of flowers please consider a gift to Jean's favorite charities: Richland County Humane Society, Churches United for the Homeless; Salvation Army; YWCA Women's Shelter and the Colfax Swimming Pool.