NDCA membership believes that chaplaincy is a calling.
Instead of raising one above another, a worthy chaplain is featured rather than given an award.
Dean Lyste was born to be a chaplain. He was raised in Beaver Creek Township (near Hatton) in a loving family devoted to their Christian community, farming life and their church, Beaver Creek Lutheran Church. Dean was greatly influenced by his father, a humble man who took his family to church every Sunday, gave credit to God for the opportunities given to him, never said a discouraging word, worked hard, but never on Sunday, helped his neighbors in need and greatly loved his family. It’s a wonderful thing growing up knowing you are loved by God and your family.
Dean, too, has lived a life of faith. He has served as a deacon, Sunday School teacher, youth pastor and Sunday School Superintendent. And it is in his chaplaincy that he found his true calling. In one of his first Sundays as a chaplain, Dean told the residents that he may not be the smartest chaplain, but there wasn’t anyone who wanted to be their chaplain more than him. After the service one of the residents said to him that we only need to know that you care and you are here because this is where God wants you. And for 20 years Dean has done just that serving as chaplain at Hatton Prairie Village and Northwood Deaconess Health Center.
Dean has ministered to hundreds of residents, family members and employees providing spiritual and emotional support, a shoulder to cry on, an empathic listening ear, grief counseling, comfort and prayer at the end of life, uplifting visits, laughter and always making sure they know they are loved. “I don’t know that there is a greater blessing at Hatton Prairie Village than Dean,” says Cindy Tredwell, Administrator. “He shows us every day and in every way his love of Christ, his love for us and his joy in being our chaplain.” Brock Sherva, CEO, Northwood Deaconess Health Center (NDHC), adds “Chaplain Lyste is very deserving of this award. He consistently goes above and beyond the call of duty to comfort patients, residents and their families during the most difficult times. NDHC is lucky to have Dean and is thankful for all his contributions.”
Dean graduated from NDSSS (North Dakota School of Science) with a degree in Distributive Education and from Altru Hospital’s chaplaincy program. He proposed to his wife, Sherry, on their first date – a song on the radio that night felt like God was telling him that she is “the one”. Sherry said yes and 45 years later she still makes his heart skip a beat. They have two children, Angela, married to Kyle Paulson, and Michael Lyste, married to Jordan, and two wonderful granddaughters, Rylee and Logan Paulson.
“The Bible verse that I first remember hearing went straight to my heart”, says Dean. “And it’s the first verse I share with a resident. Twenty-five words that show God’s love for us and His promise to us.”
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten
Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have
eternal life. John 3:16