|
May 15, 1957 - Nov 6, 1999
 1974
 "EE" & Laura 1963
Ellen Rostvold Shiokari died at her home in Irvine Saturday, November 6th, 1999, surrounded and cherished by her family, after losing a battle with pneumonia. She received a heart/double lung transplant in 1996 at the University of California, San Diego.
Ellen was born in Claremont, California, and was the youngest of four children of Virginia Rostvold of Corona Del Mar and Gerhard Rostvold of Laguna Beach. In addition to her parents, she is survived by her husband David, her son Brian, her step-mother Rosemarie, her sisters Christine Neff Rostvold of San Juan Capistrano and Laura Rostvold of Laguna Beach, her brother Roger Rostvold of Colorado Springs, her neice Anna Karin Rostvold of Irvine, and her nephew Erik Rostvold of Tucson, Arizona.
Ellen was a graduate of Sycamore Elementary School, El Roble Junior High School, Claremont High School and California Lutheran College. As a child and member of the congregation, she helped lay the foundation stones of the Good Shepherd Lutheran church in Claremont.
Ellen was a shining ray of joy in the lives of her friends and family. She had a warm and caring heart, and she was generous with her wit and optimism. She had a tremendous sense of humor, and she always brought out the best in people. Her laugh was infectious. She had a large circle of devoted and lifelong friends, and she never lost an opportunity to uplift the spirits of someone in trouble. She started conversations with strangers, and they became her friends. She was compassionate, and had a strong sense of social justice. She had boundless energy to help others. Those who knew her felt blessed to be touched by her loving spirit.
When her health began to fail and it became clear that a transplant was the only option for her survival, she embraced the risk knowing that she was in God’s hands. Through several subsequent years of serious medical setbacks, she never lost her faith in Christ, or in her family, or in herself. She was brave and strong, and her family drew strength and faith from her example. She was a peacemaker, and she focused on building understanding. She mended torn spirits. She banished sadness with her grace and humor. Her beloved son Brian was a precious gift of joy in her life.
In her short life, Ellen avidly collected the only thing worth holding onto – the abiding love, honor and devotion of her friends and family. Every life that she touched was changed for the good, and the influence of her kindness will endure beyond the lives of those who knew her. She is now, and always will be, deeply missed.
|
