After suffering a devastating stroke in February 2025 and a year-long, hard-fought battle, it is with a heavy heart and deep sadness that we announce the passing of Arvid Eric Wistrom, at 71 years old, on March 8th, 2026.

Arvid was born on September 7th, 1954, in Bemidji, Minnesota, to his father, Arvid Evert Henry “Hank” Wistrom, and his mother, Elinor Mae Pochardt. After her husband’s death in 1973, Elinor eventually remarried Emerson Rickerd, who became a prominent presence in Arvid’s life. Arvid graduated from high school in Kelliher, Minnesota, in 1972. He then served in the United States Army from January 20th, 1975, until he was honorably discharged on April 6th, 1984. He had fond memories of serving as a Military Police Detective and the time he spent stationed in Korea from 1976 to 1977. Around this same time, Arvid met and married Colleen (Kegley) Wistrom on March 9th, 1974. Together they moved to Tacoma, Washington, where they raised their three daughters. In 1984, he started his repo business, where he fondly became known to many in Pierce County as the “Repo Man.”

He loved his career and building his business, but he loved his family more. For over 40 years, he was persistent in ensuring the annual family October pumpkin patch trip always happened. He sang “Happy Birthday” to each of his kids and grandkids every year, even leaving a voicemail if they didn’t answer the first try. Arvid was also an active member of his community, often helping those in need of a home or work to find stability, and he constantly had a spirit of giving. Arvid saw the good and potential in everyone. It was not unusual for him to show up at Thanksgiving dinner or Christmas with an “extra guest” or two that he had just met, or had known for only a short time, but who had nowhere to go for the holiday.

Some of Arvid’s favorite things were spending time with family, especially holidays and special occasions; meeting a friend or two for coffee at his favorite breakfast spot; watching classic old Western TV shows like “Gunsmoke” or “Bonanza”; Korean BBQ; vacationing in Hawaii; and country western dancing. He was especially happy when he got to share that love with his daughters and grandchildren. One of his happiest memories is teaching his oldest granddaughter how to two-step at his 50th birthday party.

Arvid had a big presence and a big personality. You couldn’t go anywhere without someone knowing who he was. And if, by some crazy turn of luck, Arvid didn’t know anyone in the room, you better believe that by the time he left he had gained several new friends. It was nothing for him to turn to the person next to him, strike up a conversation, and before you knew it they were shaking hands and exchanging phone numbers.

Arvid was a storyteller. He loved telling stories about his childhood and life. People didn’t mind when he told stories multiple times because it made him so happy to share them with you. Stories of his life as a kid in Minnesota; how he and his brother every winter shoveled snow “uphill” in front of the bus, clearing a path for the bus driver on the way to school while the other kids rode in the bus; stories of his time as a police officer, and how one time he came home for lunch, left the window down in his patrol car, and his oldest daughter crawled in the window and turned his sirens on, scaring the whole neighborhood; stories of his time working at the Tacoma B&I and often taking his lunch break with Ivan the Gorilla sitting next to him; and of course all of the crazy stories of his time as a “Repo Man”—they were endless.

Arvid was a beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend. He is survived by his siblings, Diana Jones, Gary Wistrom, Anna Julin, and Stanley Wistrom; his three daughters and their spouses, Rachel and Matthew House, Kathleen and Zeth Traufer, and Erica and Todd McClure; as well as his grandchildren, Taylor House, Devin House, Bryce House, Bree Packard, Emma House, Kohen Packard, Madison House, Autumn Packard, Ashlynn Traufer, and Zander Traufer; and lastly his great-grandchildren, Max Cepeda, Jackson Arvid Cepeda, and Charles House. He was extremely proud of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, often even stopping strangers to share a picture or a story and expressing his joy in who they were and what they’d accomplished.

His family will celebrate his life in a closed private memorial with his closest loved ones. Arvid’s fierce personality, big heart, and constant love and endearment for his family and loved ones will be greatly missed.