Donald "Don" Ristow

Donald was born in Bristol, Connecticut, the first of three children to Walter and Marie Ristow. He spent his early years growing up in Terryville, CT where he found his love of jazz music and hijinks with his siblings. After high school, he joined the Army and served during the Korean War in Uijeongbu. After returning from his military service, Don became a bookkeeper and worked in that profession for the next 22 years, eventually moving to Boise, Idaho after brain surgery in 1971. At the ripe young age of 50, Don chose to go back to college to become a Director of Evangelism for the Lutheran Church. He spent his first year at Northwest Nazarene College (now University) then transferred to Concordia, St. Paul for the remainder, graduating in 1988. His first two year posting was in Rockford, Illinois, which ended amicably at the end of the contract. Not having another posting, and with much praying, he and his wife of that time chose to move back to Ontario, Oregon to be closer to her children and grandchildren. Don set roots in Ontario in 1991. He joined the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) in 1992, lost his third wife, VaRena, to cancer in 1993, and watched his youngest daughter graduate high school in 1994. He was heavily active with the VFW and other veterans organizations becoming their bookkeeper and serving as Commander, Quartermaster, and in other positions as needed until he began ‘retiring’ this past year as part of his 90th birthday present to himself. During his tenure he worked tirelessly to assist veterans in need, a college scholarship program, and local businesses. While Don was married six times, Bonnie, his fifth wife, was the love of his life. They became husband and wife in 1998. They had a wonderful 13 years together until her passing in 2011 having battled cancer for over a year. He spoke of her often after her passing and missed her a little more everyday. They found and fell in love with Mackey’s Public House, going there often and starting a tradition of attending every St. Patrick’s Day celebration. He continued this tradition until his end. Although you’d probably see him there at least once a month anyway, as it continued as his favorite restaurant in the area. It is most likely where his nickname Trouble started. Although many people in the community referred to him as such for his love of joking and gentle teasing. Don lived a full 90 years. He was a bit like a monolith and seemed to just always carry on and would always be here. Even though his health began to seriously decline, he lived alone, independent and active, until the end of his life. He passed away in his sleep at St. Al’s, Nampa, Id. Don is survived by three daughters and one son. He was loved by many in this community and will be missed terribly. Services will be held on Thursday, June 27th 3pm at Pilgrim Lutheran Church with a dinner at the Veterans’ Hall beginning at 4pm. All are welcome to attend. The family requests that should you choose to honor Don’s memory, please donate to the Association for the Blind or Disabled American Veterans (DAV) as that will be more meaningful for him than donations of flowers for his funeral.

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