James Wallace Ristvedt
James Wallace Ristvedt, son of Daphne (Johnson) and Leander Ristvedt passed away Monday, June 27, 2022, in Omaha, NE, at the age of 88. James was born in Highland Grove, MN in 1933, and grew up in Cyrus, MN. After graduation, the family moved to Renton, WA, where he worked for Boeing Aircraft as a riveter. He then enlisted in the Air Force, and served as an A & P mechanic at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX. He met his beautiful bride, Betty Jean Knobloch in the choir loft at St. Paul Lutheran Church in San Antonio.
Feeling a call into pastoral ministry, James studied and graduated from Concordia Seminary in Springfield, IL, and in 1965 became an ordained pastor in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. He served congregations in Picayune, MS, Littlefield, TX, Wisner, NE, and Denison, IA, before completing CPE training to become a chaplain. In this capacity, he worked for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice as a full-time chaplain at the George Beto Unit maximum security prison in Tennessee Colony (Palestine) TX. He retired in 2001, but continued to lead worship in the Palestine area.
James was married to Betty Jean (Knobloch) for 63 years, and was the father of Cynthia (Waldemar) Vinovskis, Nathan (Nellie), Jennifer Hille, and Phillip (Jessica). Rev. Ristvedt was predeceased by twin brothers, both parents, sister Wanda (Williamson) brother Roger, and an infant daughter. He is survived by his wife and children, 11 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Visiting hours are Tuesday, July 5 at Zion Lutheran Church in west Omaha from 9:30-10:30 am with the service of Christian Burial following. Committal is at the Omaha National Cemetery at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials will be directed by the family.