Rev. Wendell "Jay" Stakkestad passed away peacefully from complications of heart failure on February 28th at St. Anthony's Hospital in Gig Harbor, WA.  He is survived by sister Ingrid (Dale); children Dena (John), Wendy (Brad), Tim;  grandchildren Jason (Katie), Jessica, Austin (Sabrina), Tanner, Trent; great grandchildren William & Edison.  Preceded in death by parents Jacob & Helena, sister Sylvia, first wife and mother of children Jackie, second wife Maggie, niece Susan.  Wendell was born in Burlington, WA to the parents of Norwegian immigrants Jacob and Helena (Anderson) Stakkestad and raised in the serene farmlands of the Skagit Valley where they built and maintained their own family farm. He had many a job on their farm over the years from helping with the pea harvest to milking & taking care of the cows. He also developed his love for the piano from his mom and loved to play hymns while his dad would sing. With his parents and sisters, Wendell attended Edison Lutheran Church in Bow, WA, where he was devoutly brought up in the Lutheran faith and developed within him a deep and abiding faith in his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. His continued devotion to his faith would shape his life to follow. After graduating from Burlington-Edison High School, he went on to attend Pacific Lutheran College in Parkland, WA. He decided to pursue his love for his faith through ministry, thereby attending seminary in St Paul, Minnesota where he met "a very spirited young lady", Jackie, whom he married on February 14th, 1961.  Wendell was ordained as a Lutheran Minister June 21, 1964, and received his first calling to serve at United Lutheran Church in Douglas-Waterville, WA the same year.  Both of his beloved daughters Dena and Wendy were born here. After 5 years of ministry in Waterville, he was called to serve at Ascension Lutheran Church in Orofino, ID where his beloved son Tim would be born.  Then lastly, he served his longest ministry at Trinity Lutheran Church in Kirkland, WA.  His beloved wife Jackie of 26 years passed away from cancer in 1987. Later he would marry a "lovely lady" from Scotland, Maggie, and would retire up in Blaine, WA where they resided for over 11 years. He even got adventurous and accompanied Maggie to her Scotland home where they would stay for several months at a time. In Blaine, he continued pursuing his beloved music ministry. Over his lifetime he wrote and composed over 90 songs for his ministry and enjoyed sharing his music's message with others, a message of God's never ending love and grace for all people. He attended Zion Lutheran Church in Ferndale and enjoyed being one of the pianists for Sunday morning services.  His last few years were spent living with his daughter, Wendy, in Gig Harbor, WA after his beloved Maggie passed away in 2018.  Wendell has written several memoirs over the years and they all focus on the grace and mercy that God has shown to him.  In a special letter to his children he wrote this:  "It couldn't be said more clearly than what Paul wrote to Titus: When the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of deeds done by us in righteousness, but in virtue of his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit, which he poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that we might be justified by his grace and become heirs in hope of eternal life." In his words, it was Wendell's "privilege and joy to have the honor of sharing this faith as a pastor and ambassador for Christ".  Wendell, our beloved father will be missed dearly.  The light of Christ shined so clearly through him all his life and has not only made a huge impact on his family, but on all who met him!

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Wendell to Lutheran World Relief lwr.org , Edison Lutheran Church in Bow, WA or Zion Lutheran Church in Ferndale, WA.