Jon A. Kolstad

Jon Arthur Kolstad, 80, of Phoenix, AZ, and Monroe County, PA, passed away Saturday, June 1, 2024, with his wife at his side, at St Luke's Hospital-Monroe, Bartonsville, PA. His passing was due to complications of Parkinson's with PSP, a rare progressive neurodegenerative disease.
Born on May 16, 1944, in New York, NY; he was the son of the late Arthur and Naomi (Hawkins) Kolstad. Living his youth in Queens, NY, after graduating high school, Jon enlisted in the United States Army and joined the 82nd Airborne Division.
In his late 20s, Jon married and studied architecture at NYU and Pratt Institute. After completing his studies, he and his wife moved to Delaware Water Gap, PA, where Jon started his career as a registered architect. He worked independently, with Fred Forsyth RA, and for Schoonover and Vanderhoff Architects, East Stroudsburg, PA. They had two wonderful daughters, Kimberly, and Karen. Later, they divorced.
Then, Jon met Erika. They moved to Phoenix, AZ, and married. Residing in Phoenix since 1995, Jon started working for and retired as an architect for the City of Phoenix, AZ
He leaves behind his wife of 25 years, Erika (nee Peppel) Kolstad; daughters Kimberly Contini (Charles) of Monroe Township, NJ, and their daughters Emelie and Annabelle, Karen Kolstad (Veronica) of Houston, TX, and their daughter Alexandra; brother Lee Kolstad (Janet) of Phoenix, AZ; brother-in-law Steven Schembri of Florida; brother-in-law Peter Peppel (MaryLu) of Nazareth, PA; and niece, and nephews: Cathy, Tommy, Michael, Bobby, Richard, Justin, and Douglas.
Jon was predeceased by his sister Thea (Kolstad) Greaux, brother-in-law Richard Greaux, sister-in-law Jean (Zborowski) Schembri, and niece Stephanie (Schembri) Canterino
Memorial services will take place in both Pennsylvania and Arizona.
The memorial service in Pennsylvania will take place on Thursday, July 18, 2024, at 1 pm at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 9 North 9th Street, Stroudsburg, PA The memorial service in Arizona will take place in 2025.
Those who wish to honor Jon with a charity donation can do so at St John's Evangelical Church, Stroudsburg, PA, Wounded Warriors Project, AZ Game and Fishing (Wildlife Conservation), or any Non-Profit Animal Rescue Organization.