Beloved Elsa Lystad was struck by a brutal illness before her death – the children’s heartbreaking words hit straight to the heart

1930-2023.

On 27 December last year, the sad news came that dear people Elsa Lystad was dead, aged 93.

It was her son, Hallvard Szemes, who himself shared the news that his mother had fallen asleep quietly on Boxing Day.

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Known for her central roles in Norwegian theatre, TV and radio, she had her breakthrough in the mid-1960s.

The actor-legend enjoyed a 50-year career and entertained for a lifetime. Over 60 Norwegian films and 160 unique roles over the course of his career.

You may remember her well “Fredriksson’s factory”?

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– Be present

When Elsa Lystad was affected by Alzheimer’s a few years ago, she had to retire from working life.

In recent years, those around Elsa experienced that she disappeared more and more into the brutal disease.

In an interview with Dagbladet in 2021, the sons talked about their mother’s tough illness.

They told, among other things, that the mother’s phone, which often used to ring, suddenly went silent after she fell ill. It could seem that many people were unsure how to contact her after the dementia diagnosis.

He had a clear answer to that himself.

– Just being present. Even if one were to have a bad memory, no matter how strong the dementia, that joy, all these good experiences, sits there in consciousness. You do not need to communicate in any other way than you have always done. Just show up, he urged at the time.

When the actress died aged 93 on the eve of 2023, she left the entertainment industry in deep mourning.

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– She was a rare bird

The funeral took place in St. Hallvard’s church in Oslo. There, Lystad’s family and friends said a final goodbye to the popular actor.

Several familiar faces and former colleagues were present. Among others Actor Geir Kvarme (60), Dag Vågsås (69) and Brit Elisabeth Haagensli (70).

One of those who showed up to church was an actor Marianne Krogness (72). She and Lystad had a very close and long friendship.

– She was a rare bird. Someone who could create fun completely improvised. She had an ability to formulate that was completely unique and could put words in a very funny way that you had never thought of before. She was so alive in everything she did, Krogness said outside the church to VG.

The revue artist also gave a speech in memory of Lystad in the church.

In the church stood a white coffin surrounded by colorful flower wreaths from near and dear ones.

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– The last performance

Elsa had a long and adventurous life in Norwegian film, revue and theatre. There she also met the great love of her life.

Sons Christian and Hallvard Szemes remember their mother as an open and caring person.

– To have the position she had for several decades, she was extremely down-to-earth and unsnobbish, said Christian Szemes to NRK.

The sons could tell of a childhood almost without children’s books. Mamma Elsa made up new stories that they were allowed to help create.

– This is the last performance for mum, said Hallvard Szemes about the funeral for her mother in January.

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Lost her husband suddenly

Lystad was suddenly widowed after her husband, Arpad Szemes, died suddenly in 1998. They were married for 37 years.

She described him as the rock in her life.

In an interview with Dagbladet’s “Inne & Ute” several years ago, Lystad talked about missing her husband.

– Arpad is a man to be missed. He was 64 years old. That void will always be there. I never cared about other men after I became a widow. I just missed Arpad all these years, she said at the time.

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Worked until she got sick

When job offers became fewer and the thought of retirement approaching, it only motivated Lystad to get back to work.

– I have had a few transitions where I did not get work. But now I’ve got more chances. I’m on the road again. There is something about work, it leads me to something. Something has reawakened in meshe stated at the time.

Then Lystad was affected by Alzheimer’s and had to retire from working life.

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There is no doubt that Lystad was one of Norway’s most famous actors for several decades. A unique actor we thank for giving us endless joy and laughter on the TV screen.

We are thinking of you Elsa Lystad! Rest in peace.