Susan Ann Lysaker Jarvis passed away on Sunday, December 10, 2017, with loved ones at her side. She was born on November 8, 1946, in Fargo, North Dakota to Margaret Adelaide Peterson and Gilbert Allen Lysaker. Following her parents’ divorce, she and her mother moved to Spokane. At age 12, her mother passed away following a short illness. Susan spent a short time with Aunt Mickey and Uncle Fritz Love in California. She missed Spokane and her friends and returned to Spokane to be raised by her Aunt Olive & Uncle Bud Peterson. She graduated from Shadle Park High School and Eastern Washington University with a BA Degree in Education. She taught many students at Indian Trail Elementary in Spokane.
Susan married Michael Dee Jarvis on November 11, 1966, and both taught in the Spokane School District, Mike as a clinical psychologist and Susan as an elementary teacher. They had one son, Eric Michael, of San Leandro, California.
A year after Mike’s death, Susan decided a change of scenery would be good. She researched teacher exchange possibilities and made the move to Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia, exchanging schools and homes with an Australian teacher for a year of new adventures. It also changed her life. When she returned to Spokane, she made a career change! Vacation time in Australia introduced her to a love of travel and, following her heart, she moved to Seattle, learned the travel business, was employed by Magnolia Travel and, ultimately, purchased the business. In 2008, Susan returned to Spokane to be closer to family. She continued providing service to her many clients both in Spokane and the Seattle area and, in 2014, she merged her business with Anderson Travel in Gig Harbor, Washington. She recently returned from a trip through Norway, Sweden, and Iceland... definitely a world traveler!
She was a member of Unity Spiritual Center and a prominent member of the Daughters of Norway. She was instrumental in the institution of Spokane’s Freya Lodge #50 in 2009. Susan served as the first Vice President from 2009-11 and President from 2012-2013.
Susan was preceded in death by her husband, Mike; parents, Margaret and Gil Lysaker; mother-in-law, Lillian Jarvis; brother-in-law, Jack Jarvis; aunt Olive and uncle Bud Peterson; aunt Mickey and uncle Fritz Love; uncle Ted Lysaker; niece, Sheila Peterson Fievez, and nephew, Douglas Jarvis.
She is survived by her son, Eric; half-brother, Christopher Stafford Lysaker (Debbie); sister-in-law, Gail Jarvis; aunt, Fran Brusseau (Lloyd); aunt Ardis Lysaker; cousin, Jo Grondahl; numerous nieces and nephews, and her fabulous cat, “Miss Charlotte”. She will be missed by all but always in our thoughts.
A memorial service will be held at 1pm on Friday, January 5, 2018, at Heritage Funeral Home with reception to follow. Rather than flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Jarvis Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Walt Utt, Chairman, 6419 N. Jefferson St., Spokane, WA 99208 or the organization of your choice.
