Martin Ernst Nygaard

Martin Ernst Nygaard, recently of Terrace at Beverly Lake, Everett, Washington, passed into the arms of our Lord on December 2nd at the age of 80, after a several-year struggle with Parkinson’s.

Services will be held Wednesday December 13th at:

Solie Funeral Home & Crematory, 3301 Colby Ave., Everett, WA 98201

1:00p Visitation with family and each other (casket will be closed)

2:00p Service - There will be time during the service for any attendees who wish to share a memory of Martin.

*Parking is limited, please allow time for finding street parking if necessary

Martin was born in Little Falls, Minnesota, to Ernst and Anna (Ann) Nygaard. Ernst was a Lutheran minister and with his family traveled to different areas of the United States and Canada, starting and rejuvenating Lutheran churches. Martin attended various schools throughout their travels and graduated from Blaine High School in 1961, then went on to attend Western Washington College in Bellingham, earning a bachelor’s degree in Biology. He served in the Army during the Vietnam era, and using his Army training had a career as operating room and health technician, spending the majority of his working days at the VA Hospital in Seattle, retiring in 2005. He was well known and loved by staff and patients there, and also by members of First Lutheran Church of West Seattle, where he was church librarian and sang in the choir.

Martin throughout his life had many talents and interests, including his love of music (guitar, harmonica, autoharp, keyboard & piano), and developed a vast collection of music CDs. He also loved photography, woodworking, trivia and crossword puzzles, and read extensively - both for fun and knowledge.

Martin was diagnosed with Parkinson’s at the age of 75, and over the years the disease took its toll. In mid November after a stressful hospitalization, the agonizing decision was made to start hospice care. Family had been making regular visits, and were all present to say their loving goodbyes before his passing.

Martin is survived by his wife, Lauri, his daughters Brooke and Kristin, his son Aaron (Terilyn) with grandchildren Jacob and Joseph, and his nephew Chris. He was preceded in death by his father Ernst and mother Ann, and his sister Diane.

Martin’s family would like to thank the Terrace staff, hospice team, and Martin’s music therapist, who all helped make his last days as comfortable as possible. He will be so missed, but we know he is now at rest, with no more Parkinson’s, or pain.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: 

Parkinson’s Foundation: Parkinsons.org

or

Providence Hospice: https://foundation.providence.org/wa/snohomish