Reidar Gursli

Reidar Gursli.

Reidar Gursli. Born September 20, 1928, went to be with the Lord Jesus and his Wife Ingebjørg and eldest son Gordon Gursli August 18, 2025, at the age 96, shy of his 97th, birthday.

Reidar was born in his hometown of Odda Norway; the second child of Tollak and Gudrun Gursli

He was Blessed to grow up in the beautiful Hardanger area amongst the mountains and Fjords in western Norway. Even during the German occupation of WWII when it was a time of uncertainty and rationing, he recounted only gratitude for love of family, Music, dance and the adventures of the mountains and fjords.

At end of the WWII in 1945, he entered Trade School and then entered the Norwegian Royal Air in 1947 where he served until 1950. Upon returning home with his experiences and electrical skills, he set out to explore the world on the Ship “Nordbo”, as an electrical technician, only to return home Summer of 1951. After his experiences it lead him to desire more, and after 8 months of working at the hometown factory, he set sail with four of his childhood friends towards Canada, Leaving Bergen Norway April 5^th, 1952, landed in Halifax Canada, April 12, 1952, with a 5-day train trip towards Vancouver BC where he would start a new life in the Pacific Northwest. He had only 200 Kroner and a 20-dollar bill in his pocket for the journey, and the day he got his first job and a week from getting paid, he had only a dime in his pocket.

Within 2 weeks he had found steady work on hydroelectric projects Kemano BC worked 6 months before bringing his soon to be wife Ingebjørg and purchasing a home in Burnaby BC , before picking up roots again in 1960 to move to Seattle where he worked as a Marine Electrician for Lunde Electric in Ballard then becoming IBEW 46 union member working construction projects around Seattle, settling in Edmonds in 1961 to raise his family. He continued to seek adventures in the mid 60’s fishing in Bristol Bay Ak during the summers and investing in Seattle Rental housing.

Through Love of family and friends, hard work, taking one day, one step of the time, to overcome life’s many obstacles, he provided Food, Roof, clothes, and many joyful travel experiences for himself and family.

He was blessed with a life well lived. Family and friends were blessed to have had him in their lives.

Surviving is Roy Gursli, and wife Debbie E Gursli, Ted Allen Gursli. Grandchildren Erika N Gursli, Justin A Gursli and wife Angelic Gursli, and Kristian G Gursli

Great Grandchildren – Taylor Gursli Pichler, Preston, Carolyn, Adelyn, and Celia Gursli

In-laws Gerd Schaatun, Aslaug Solbakken, Oddbjørn Lynghammar, Beloved Gursli and Lygnhammer Family in Norway

Preceded in death by wife Ingebjørg, son Gordon Gursli, Brother Torleif, Karl Willy Gursli

Celebration of life to be Held.

Saturday September 20^th, 2025
Maple Park Lutheran Church
17620 60^th Ave W
Lynnwood, WA 98037

In Lieu of flowers please consider donations to the Alzheimer’s Association