David Walter Tiistola passed away at St. Alexis Hospital in Bismarck early morning July 14, 2022. Born August 14, 1948, to Walter (Pete) and Ellen Tiistola, David joined his two sisters, Jean and Helen(Birdie). David attended Brocket Elementary, graduated as valedictorian from Lakota High School and graduated Summa Cum Laude from UND in Business Administration in 1970. In 1972, he returned to UND and graduated from UND with a Law degree in 1975. After passing the Bar he joined the Public Service Commission of ND, leaving to work for True Corporation in Casper, Wyoming, until he retired from Law to pursue his passion for cooking.
To that end, he retired from law and went to school for a year at Cordon Bleu, in Eagen, MN, and did an internship at the famous “Herbfarm” restaurant in Woodinville, WA. His dinners were a delight to eat, and art to behold in the presentations.
David lived a very full life. His passport was full of stamps because he loved to travel to taste good food, wine and enjoy the company of friends. He excelled at photography art. He loved music; his collection of music ranged from classical to folk, rock to opera. He was also a writer, giving short stories to family and friends for special occasions.
David was diagnosed with Parkinson’s a number of years ago, ever optimistic about the future, but on Saturday, July 9, he was admitted to CHI St. Alexis, Bismarck, while visiting friends, and on July 14, his soul left this earth.
His father and mother, and sister, Jean, preceded him in death. He is survived by his sister,Birdie, and two nephews and a niece, 13 grand nieces and nephews and two great-great grand nephews, a host of cousins, god-children, and friends, who were his family too. He will be lovingly remembered and sorely missed.
Interment of David’s ashes will be next summer at the Finnish Cemetery, rural Brocket. Memorials may be sent to the Parkinson’s Foundation, 200 SE 1 st St, Suite 800, Miami, Fl., 33131, or Enterprise Finnish Cemetery, PO Box 24, Lakota, ND 58344, or a place of your choice that reminds you of David.