Triston Tjoelker

Triston Montell Tjoelker, age 22, passed away ever so peacefully into the loving arms of Jesus on Sept. 21 at his home in Lynden.

After a long, hard, 3½ year fight with Ewings Sarcoma, his father in heaven called him home. Triston was surrounded by his mom, dad, three sisters, uncle, aunts and many of his cousins.

Triston was born on Nov. 11, 1999 to Lincoln and Jada Tjoelker in Bellingham. He was very quiet and shy yet full of so much character.

Triston brought his parents so much love, joy and laughter. The three of them were inseparable. Over the next several years, Triston was joined by his three sisters who continually looked up to him and adored him. He loved playing legos, Star Wars figurines, having pine cone wars in the backyard, and ghost in the graveyard with all his cousins and friends.

Even when he was older, Triston wasn’t too cool to happily participate with the little kids in all their games as well. He also very much enjoyed camping, bon fires, fishing, many day trips with his family, hiking, board games and online video games with his friends.

Triston loved his family deeply and understood the value and importance of spending time together. 

Triston rarely missed attending any of his sister’s soccer or basketball games or their musical events at school to support them. 

Triston also enjoyed getting together with grandparents, aunts and uncles and all his cousins.

So many holidays, birthdays, special events and just random get togethers were spent with those he loved. Each one of those relationships he held close to his heart.

Triston was a very kind, loving, caring, generous, understanding, loyal, compassionate and fun person. 

Triston genuinely cared for others less fortunate and didn’t judge or look down on anyone. If you knew him well, you can attest to him having those attributes.

The qualities Triston possessed are some of the reasons that made him such a great person and friend and why many younger cousins looked up to him.

Triston was very smart and intelligent and did very well in school. He always got good grades from his early years all the way through college courses. 

Triston was always the go-to for help when his sisters needed it with their own homework and his parents couldn’t help.

Triston attended Ebenezer Christian School for a few years and then Isom Elementary and Lynden Middle School.

Triston graduated from Lynden High School with an AA degree at Whatcom Community College through Running Start.

The following year, Triston attended Central Washington University and later also attended Western Washington University for a short time. He loved and excelled at being a student and gaining more knowledge. 

The long 3½-year battle with cancer started a couple weeks before the end of his first year at Central Washington. He suffered a broken leg which soon led to his diagnosis.

After initially receiving treatment, Triston became cancer free for a short time. In that time, he was able to get his broken leg repaired with a rod installed so he could eventually be on his two feet again.

Six months later the cancer returned to his leg which required more treatment and unavoidable amputation of his right leg.

Soon Triston was doing an extremely difficult stem cell transplant in hopes to eradicate the disease for good

 It was successful and life somewhat got back to normal for about a year until January 2022 when our world came crashing down again.

He bravely fought again for the following nine months. However, this time was different from the previous fights.

In the middle of the night on July 30, Jesus heard him crying out and met him where he was at and the Holy Spirit entered his body and heart. Now he had God on his side.

Triston looked at life a lot different, with faith and hope. He realized that he needed to go through all the pain of cancer to bring him to this point of falling to his knees. Though he would eventually lose the fight, Triston’s eternal life is now secure.

Triston is survived by his parents Lincoln and Jada Tjoelker; sisters Taryn, Taya and Trevyn all of Lynden; grandparents Bud and Jayleen Tjoelker of Blaine; grandma Geneva Wick of Birch Bay; honorary grandparents Wayne and Virginia Jones of Bellingham; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and close friends; his dog Ellie, his cat Beyonce, family dog Griffey and cat Mooch.

We all mourn the loss of Triston’s earthly body and he will be extremely missed. However we rejoice in the fact that he is now pain and suffering free with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

We are so thankful that God let us borrow Triston for almost 23 unforgettable years.

The family would like to extend a true and heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported them and walked this journey with them.

From cards, flowers, gift cards, cash, groceries, dinners, hugs, prayers and putting little yellow signs in your yards we have been so blessed to have a community in complete support of us.

Words can never express the gratitude for the love and kindness we have been shown. From the bottoms of our broken hearts, we say thank you and we love you all.

You are invited to join family and friends at Triston’s memorial service at Sonlight Church on Friday, Sept. 30 at 2 p.m.

In memory of Triston, we only ask that you watch his testimony with an open heart. If you’ve already seen it, watch it again for even more encouragement. 

What he would want most is for people to soften their hearts, open the door that is being knocked upon and let Jesus in to do the work in your life like He did in his.

Triston said ‘if you think you don’t hear God speak, then open your Bible’.

The testimony video can be seen on the FRC Lynden website/sermons-search Triston or on Facebook. Psalm 91, Psalm 118.

With aching hearts we still know: God is good, all the time.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services.