Jalmer Solyst

FOREST CITY - Jalmer Solyst, age 103, of Forest City, died Tuesday, January 1, 2013 at the Lake Mills Care Center in Lake Mills, Iowa.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, January 11 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Forest City, with Pastor Rod Hopp officiating. Visitation will be held at the church one hour prior to services.

Burial will be at Oakland Cemetery in Forest City.

Jalmer Mandius Solyst was born on September 12, 1909 at McCallsburg, Iowa the son of John and Minnie (Holm) Solyst. He was baptized at St. John Lutheran Church of Belmond, Iowa by his great uncle, Dr. H. C. Holm, vice president of the Norwegian Lutheran Church of America. For a short time, the family lived in Belmond Iowa and then later moved to Forest City, Iowa. Jalmer's first lessons in Sunday School were in the Norwegian language. He was a very active member of the church's children's choir and was confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran in Forest City.
During his childhood years, Jalmer's life was significantly affected by the Scarlet fever epidemic that was rampant in the country at the time. One of the side effects of the disease was hearing loss. In spite of several attempts to address this handicap the condition worsened due to an electric treatment by a local chiropractor that resulted in the development of mastoids and severe pain.
With this kind of handicap, school became increasingly difficult and with no special help or considerations he withdrew from school halfway through his tenth grade year.
As the years passed, Jalmer and his older brother Holm entered into a farming partnership. With the advent of World War II, Jalmer left the farm and worked in a defense plant in Des Moines for a short period of time. With his interest in cars, he studied up on auto mechanics and was employed by the Chevolet garage in Forest City. At the conclusion of the war, he bought a farm and engaged again in his first love. Jalmer was a good steward of the land he owned and after several years, he received a state honor for his conservation practices from the state of Iowa.
His farming gave his creative mind the opportunity to produce a number of small tools which would make his farming practice easier and more efficient. Jalmer has to his credit two United States patents.
Jalmer loved the children. Whenever a child was crying, Jalmer was there to comfort. Whenever a child needed help, he was there to help. If the child wanted someone with whom to play, Jalmer's playful spirit was always there.
Jalmer was very well known for his kindness toward anyone he met. He was always available wherever needed and wherever he could help. He was there for his family members, his neighbors as well as strangers. Jalmer was always there if anyone needed comfort or sympathy or was in trouble. He was a friend to all.
He was preceeded in death by his parents, John and Minnie Solyst; a brother, Holm Solyst; and sisters, Harriet DeJong and Jannethe Solyst. He is survived by a brother, Ephraim Solyst of Kerkhoven, MN; a sister, Wilma Belsheim of Lake Mills, IA and several nieces and nephews.
He will be laid to rest in the Oakland Cemetery, Forest City, IA.