D. Nystrom

D. J. (Johnny) Nystrom
May 21, 1924 - February 15,2010

D. J. (Johnny) Nystrom, 85, of Crawford, passed away peacefully surrounded by members of his loving family on Monday, February 15, 2010 at Providence Health Center.

Mass of Resurrection will be 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 18 at St. Louis Catholic Church with Msgr. Mark Deering officiating.

Burial with Military Honors will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, at OakCrest Funeral Home, 4520 Bosque Blvd.

Dorrance John Nystrom was born near the small farming community of Kimball, Minnesota on May 21, 1924 to Oscar Emmanuel Nystrom and Elizabeth Berscheid Nystrom and spent his boyhood years on the family farm, graduating from Kimball High School in 1942.

He was inducted into the United States Army in April, 1945 and spent his Basic Training at Camp Hood, Texas. After being assigned to Army Posts in California and Washington State, he was ordered back to Camp Hood where he spent the remainder of his military career as a clerk and dental tech in the medical unit at the camp.

During this time, he met the love of his life, Marillyn Burdsal, while she was still a senior in high school, in May of 1946. They were married at St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption on August 27, 1947.

Upon his honorable discharge from the Army in November, 1946, Johnny attended Baylor University and 4-C Business College. He worked for Miller Produce Company as a bookkeeper, and then as bookkeeper and outside salesman for Henson's, after which he became manager of the office supply division of L.M. Crow Co.

In 1964, Johnny and his wife founded Nystrom & Associates, and worked side by side in the business until selling it to two of their sons and a son-in-law in 1983.

Then the Nystroms launched their second career, Spring Valley Miniature Horse Farm, which they operated until 1995, becoming well known in the show ring and as breeders of fine miniature horses.

Johnny's third career was building and remodeling homes. He retired for the third and final time in 2007.

He was a man of integrity whose word was his bond and who would rather do business with a handshake than a contract. His work ethic, learned well during his boyhood years on the farm, was well known and he endeavored to pass it on to his children. His motto was to give 110 percent to every task.

In his retirement, he loved to travel by RV and he and his wife traveled extensively throughout the United States. He also enjoyed taking cruises, and the couple had just returned from a Mexican Riviera cruise two weeks prior to his death.

He was a skilled woodworker, spending many happy hours in his workshop, fashioning outdoor furniture and cabinetry. He was an avid sports fan whose beloved Lady Bear Basketball team provided him with many happy hours of excitement and enjoyment.

He was a beloved Papaw to his 21 grandchildren and great grandson, baby Charlie, and never tired of relating stories of their education and careers to listeners. He considered his family his proudest achievement in life.

He was a member of St. Louis Catholic Church, the Serra Club of Waco, of which he served as president in 1973. He was also one of the founders of the Reicher High School Band, serving as treasurer and president of that group.

For twenty consecutive years there was a Nystrom offspring in the Reicher Marching Band. He also served as president of the Reicher High School PTO and the Reicher High School Athletic Boosters Club. In recent years he volunteered at the Crawford Meals on Wheels Center and the Habitat for Humanity workshop.

Johnny was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Manley; his sister, Mary Jo Strusz, and in 1994 by a beloved daughter, Teresa Elizabeth Shelton.

Left to cherish his memory are his beloved wife of 62 years, Marillyn, five sons, David and wife Nancy of Muenster, Texas, Paul and wife Carol of Crawford, Texas, Mark and wife Kris of Sugarland, Texas, Greg and wife, Johanna of Dallas, Texas, and Patrick and wife Stephanie of Corbett, Oregon. Also two daughters, Anne Marie Borsellino and husband, David of Waco and Kathryn Grant and husband Rick of Fort Collins, Co. Twenty one grandchildren, Valerie Nystrom and John David Nystrom of Muenster, Tyler Nystrom of Crawford, Brian Nystrom, Waco, Adam Nystrom and wife Casey of McGregor, Clayton Nystrom of Waco, Joshua Borsellino and wife Lindsey of Ft. Worth, Seth Borsellino and wife Alesha of Waco, Aaron Borsellino of Waco, Whitney Nystrom of Houston, Ryan Nystrom of Dallas, Brandon Shelton of Waco, Brianna Shelton of Waco, Taylor Grant of Denver, Colorado, Hillary Grant, Ashton Grant, Kieran Grant and Tristan Grant of Ft. Collins, Colorado, Parker Nystrom, Marshall Nystrom and Zoe Nystrom of Corbett, Oregon, and one precious great grandson, Charlie Borsellino of Fort Worth. Also surviving are a son-in-law, Rick Shelton of Crawford, brothers-in-law, Bill Burdsal of California and Michael Wirick of California, sister-in-law, Dolores Nystrom, of Kimball, Minnesota and numerous nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews in Minnesota and Kentucky.

Pallbearers will be grandsons: Brian Nystrom, Adam Nystrom, Clayton Nystrom, Tyler Nystrom, Joshua Borsellino, Seth Borsellino, Aaron Borsellino, Ryan Nystrom, John David Nystrom, and Brandon Shelton.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that those wishing to do so send memorials to Meals on Wheels, 501 W. Waco, Drive, Waco 76707; Reicher Catholic High School, 2102 N. 23rd Street, Waco, TX 76708, or the charity of your choice.