John Clifford Habbestad

John Clifford Habbestad completed his baptism on Dec. 3, 2023. Born October 28, 1931, the third of nine children born to John and Clara Habbestad, Vashon Island, Washington. 

 

Following graduation from high school and Griffin Murphy Business College in Seattle, he joined the U.S.A.F., where he was stationed in Frankfurt, Germany. He was a 1960 graduate of Whitworth University, where he met the love of his life, Karen (Minzel) Habbestad, whom he married in 1960.

 

For 12 years he was a contract administrator with H. Halvorson, Inc., General Contractors based in Spokane. Much of his work involved military installation as well as private commercial work. He later established his own general contracting business, which he owned until his retirement in 2011. A skilled carpenter, he built his own home, where he and Karen welcomed their three children and one foster daughter. 

 

A gentle man of deep personal faith, he was a long-time member of Whitworth Church before joining Colbert Presbyterian Church, and served many years as an elder and member of the building committee. He was also chair of the building committee for Habitat for Humanity- Spokane. Committed to missions, he took short-term mission trips to a remote Eskimo village in Alaska, built homes in Honduras following Hurricane Andrew, and helped build a fellowship hall and lasting friendships with members of First Indian Presbyterian Church, Kamiah, Idaho. 

 

A loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather, he is survived by Karen Habbestad, his wife of 63 years; three children Barry (Angie) Habbestad, Brian (Heather) Habbestad, and Heidi (John) Weekly and foster daughter Tiffany (Chris) Tran-Parta; six grandchildren; two brothers and three sisters; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

 

A Memorial Service and celebration of his life will be held at 10am on Saturday, December 16 at Colbert Presbyterian Church, 4211 E Colbert Rd., Colbert, WA.

 

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Colbert Presbyterian Church.