Alan Edward Jorstad of Hermiston passed away in Hermiston on March 16, 2025 at the age of 78 after battling Lewy Body Dementia.
He was born on March 28, 1946 in Moscow, Idaho to Sigvart and Beryl Farrand Jorstad.
Alan grew up, attended school, and graduated from high school in Pullman, Wash. After high school, he attended Washington State University. While attending college, he was drafted into the U.S. Army where he served for three years. He then returned to WSU, where he completed his bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics and spent the rest of his life cheering on the Cougars at every opportunity.
Alan married Valerie J. Rode in Pullman, Wash. on Sept. 15, 1967. They lived in many places until settling in Umatilla in 1976. They lived in Umatilla for over 40 years until moving to nearby Hermiston in 2019. Alan spent his career as an irrigation manager, working over 40 years for Fredrickson Farming and their predecessors in Irrigon. He retired in 2024.
Alan was an avid reader and he enjoyed playing cards and dominoes with friends and family. He also enjoyed going on road trips, traveling and wintering in Tucson, Ariz. His family deeply loved his quick wit and generous sense of humor – making others laugh was one of his greatest joys. Above all else, Alan was a loving and devoted husband and father and was happiest when spending time with his wife Valerie, their children and grandsons. Alan was a consistent, steady presence in each of their lives.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Valerie; daughter, Anjanette and her husband Jesse Jorstad and their sons, Zachary and Miles; son, Jeremy and his wife Jedonne Jorstad and their son, Jackson. He is also survived by seven step-siblings from his father’s second marriage.
A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 19, 2025 at the Pullman City Cemetery in Pullman, Wash.
The Jorstad family would like to thank Minerva Flores and the rest of the staff at Ashley Manor for their loving care of Alan over the past six months. The family is also grateful to Vange John Memorial Hospice for ensuring Alan’s final weeks were comfortable. Special thanks to Chaplain James Lafolette for his regular visits.
The family suggests memorial contributions be sent to Vange John Memorial Hospice in Hermiston.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
