DR. JOHN JESTADT

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DR. JOHN JESTADT 1926 - 2009 Dr. John Jestadt passed away peacefully on November 2, 2009 after a lengthy illness complicated by diabetes and West Nile Virus. He was born in Winnipeg on August 3, 1926, the oldest son of Rose and Joseph Jestadt. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, but most of all, he was a dedicated physician. Raised and educated in Winnipeg, he graduated from the University of Manitoba Medical College at the age of 23, in an accelerated program due to the need for doctors after the Second World War. In the Canadian Army Reserve, he was stationed in Fort Churchill, where the polar bears out-numbered the humans. As a country doctor in the small towns of the Dakotas, he often delivered babies on remote farms during snowstorms. He cared for the troops in the Korean War as a Captain in the United States Army. He was a diplomat of the American Radiology Board since 1959, and a charter member of the American Nuclear Medicine Society. A pioneer in radiology, he was honoured to X-ray an Egyptian mummy. As an amateur astronomer, he built his own telescope, which he placed in his front yard for neighbourhood star gazing. He travelled throughout Canada, United States, Europe, Mexico and the Caribbean. His hobbies included his love of dogs (especially his beagle), playing the accordion, sailing, skiing, camping, bicycling, hockey, and being a Master Mason and Shriner in Fargo, North Dakota at an early age of 32. He is survived by his childhood sweetheart and wife of 59 years, Katherine (Kay) Jestadt; his brother, Wilfred Jestadt (Gayle); a sister, JoAnn McDougall (Bill) all of Winnipeg, Manitoba; a cousin, Dorothy Henderson of Calgary, and numerous cousins, nephews and nieces throughout Canada. He leaves a legacy of four children: Robert Jestadt (Anne) of Boise, Audrey Hays of Boise, Mary Jo of Twin Falls, and Mark Jestadt of Boise. His grand-children are Joshua Austin (Brittany) of Star, Jacob S. Hays (Amy) of Boise, Colby Austin at the University of Pennsylvania Medical School and Samantha Rose Jestadt of Boise. Great-grandchildren are Sequoia and Cruz Austin of Star. The family wishes to give special thanks to the caring staff at the Idaho Veteran's Home for their dedicated care. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are by Summer's Funeral Home in Boise.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 28, 2009