John Galster

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Christ is risen. He is risen, Indeed! Alleluia!

God says, “There is a time to be born.” John Galster was born at home on the farm, northwest of Hazen, ND, on June 14, 1923, to Bernhard and Emilie Nathalia (Boeshans) Galster.

Jesus says, “Go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” John was baptized in the death and resurrection of Jesus on July 21, 1923 at Zion’s Gemeinde (Wolf’s Gemeinde) Lutheran Church, northwest of Hazen.

Jesus says, “Whoever confesses me before men, I will confess him before my father in heaven.” John confessed his faith to Jesus through the Rite of Confirmation on July 10, 1938 at Kronthal Evangelical Lutheran Church, north of Beulah, ND.

God says, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” On September 13, 1945, John married Edna Schmidt at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Hazen. They met at the Sheep Shed Dance Hall, Beulah. John and Edna are the parents of Darrel, Verna, Dana and Lisa. They were married for 75 years.

The Bible says, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.” John loved the land and the life that farming provided. He farmed northwest of Hazen and in retirement was always concerned about the other farmers. He also enjoyed selling Federal Crop Insurance, VitaFerm and farm equipment all out of the farm. During his retirement, he started and volunteered at the Lutheran Braille work center at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Hazen. John enjoyed playing pinochle with relatives and neighbors. He loved traveling and traveled throughout the U.S./Canada and Germany/Austria. He also enjoyed singing in the Germans from Russia singing group ‘where I learned how to sing’. Wherever he was, he shared his faith in Christ Jesus.

God says, “There is a time to die.” John died on Tuesday, July 20, 2021, at Augusta Place, Bismarck, at the age of 98.

John is survived by his wife, Edna, at Augusta Place, Bismarck; son, Darrel (Charlene), Lakewood, Colo.; daughters, Verna Matthews, Pace, Fla., Dana Kitsch, Fargo, and Lisa (Daniel) Nodland, Mandan; grandchildren, Ginny, Shannon, Nathan, Robyn, Trisha, Christian, Mindy, Ethan, Krista, Austin and Jordan; great-grandchildren, Andrew, Carson, Amaya, Kaiya, Lana, Serin, Bo, Maeson, Sabrina, Samantha, Michael, Mary, Daniel, Lea, McKynlea, Jacob, Holly, Zayden and Emma; sisters, Alma Swenson, Loma Linda, Calif., and Erna Unterseher, New Salem; sister-in-law, Ruth Galster, Roseburg, Oreg.; and many nieces and nephews.

John was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Raymond (Ruby) and Lenard; sister, Antonia (Gale) Johnson; brothers-in-law, Robert Swenson and Ervin Unterseher; son-in-law, Michael Matthews; Edna’s parents, Gottlieb and Pauline Schmidt; four brothers-in-law, Ed, Albert, Rueben and Richard; six sisters-in-law, Pauline, Kate, Ann, Ella, Tabea and Gladys.

John was also preceded in death by his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who conquered death and the grave on Easter Sunday. Jesus says, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live even though he dies. And whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” Jesus says, “Be thou faithful unto death and I will give you the crown of life.” Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed! Alleluia!

A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, July 24 at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Pkwy, Bismarck, with Rev. Jonathan Walla of Bethel Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, officiating. 

Burial will be held 3 p.m. Sunday at St. Matthew's Cemetery, Hazen.