Viljar Teemant

Viljar Teemant was born in Rakvere, Estonia November 22, 1940 to Aino (Kivimaa) and Mihkel Teemant. He passed away on March 27, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. He lived a full life and a life of joy. He left a loving family who has faith in Christ that he is reunited with God, his parents and his son Leo who preceded him in death.

A WWII refugee, Viljar, his sister Tiiu, and their parents left Estonia and lived in Sweden until they emigrated to the United States. While in Sweden Viljar’s family joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. In Sweden Viljar participated in boxing, swimming, skiing and sea scouts.

In Malmö, after Gymnasium (high school), Viljar completed his associate’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. Viljar then emigrated to the USA and joined his family, including siblings Tiiu, Kaare, Jaan, Marja and Mike in San Mateo, California. There Viljar attended a Jr college and completed another associates degree. He served a 2 ½ year proselyting mission in the North German Mission and the North Central States (USA) Mission. Thru these years of service Viljar now spoke four languages fluently. One more sibling, Annela, joined his family while he was on his mission.

Viljar attended Brigham Young University earning a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering and inviting recent BYU grad Judith Tryon to earn an “Mrs.” degree. Their marriage was solemnized in the Mesa, Arizona Temple September 3, 1964. Favorite past times in Utah were skiing, swimming and hiking. While in Provo, Utah, daughters Valja and Aino Rae were born. Viljar started his career with General Electric Co. in Syracuse, New York. His work projects related to component procurement and test design. Viljar served in his church bishopric and helped with scouts. While in New York, Viljar and Judy welcomed sons Merrill, Joel and Karl.

After four years in New York, Viljar transferred to Portsmouth, Virginia to work on GE’s television circuitry design. Sons Leo, Boyd and Ross, twins Katy and Sara followed by Clark were born while the family lived in Portsmouth. Viljar served as a membership clerk, bishopric counselor, high councilman, and youth leader among other callings in his church during these years. Viljar placed a high emphasis on family reunions and trips to see grandparents in Alabama and Arizona. Camping, canoeing, hikes, scout activities, day trips to Virginia Beach, skiing, soccer, other sports, youth activities and math tutoring kept Viljar busy outside of work.

Viljar and Judy served in the Texas Dallas Mission of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints Oct 2009 to April 2011. They served eighteen months at the Bishop’s Storehouse distributing food to those in need. They served various years at the family history center in Dallas, Texas facilitating family history research and served together at the Dallas Temple 1999 to 2006. They attended children’s and grandchildren’s marriages and baby blessings. Viljar and Judy enjoyed stopping at national parks in their travels.

In the last decade of his life Viljar spent many hours researching his ancestors and their histories. He often shared his findings with his children. He desired to instill a love of family history with his descendants.

In the conclusion of his life story Viljar said, “The gospel of Jesus Christ has been a major factor in our lives and I do not know of anything else that could have helped our growth and family love and cohesiveness any more than the gospel has.”

Viljar is survived by his wife Judy, his siblings Tiiu (Sid) Pehrson, Kaare Teemant, Jaan (Susan) Teemant, Marja Himmist, Mike (Melanie) Teemant and Annela Teemant, his children Valja (David) Lerdahl, Aino Rae (Mike) Eddy, Merrill Teemant, Joel (Melissa) Teemant, Karl (Jennifer) Teemant, Leo’s widow Amy Teemant, Boyd (Carla) Teemant, Ross (Joanna) Teemant, Katy (Mack) Reinwand, Sara (Cameron) Call and Clark (Edith) Teemant, grandchildren Floyd Grant (Brooke) Lerdahl, Julia (Tom) Christiansen, Matthew (Adalee Buchanan) Lerdahl, Aaron Lerdahl, Samantha Teemant, Olivia (Riley) Orbea, Charlotte (Tristan Bridge) Teemant, Luca Teemant, Allison (Forest) Radmall, Joel Teemant, Spencer Teemant, Lincoln Teemant, Anika (Jacob Hall) Teemant, Callie (Dexton) Wallace, Isaac Teemant, Jane Teemant, Graham Teemant, Maya Teemant, Tyler Teemant, Levi Teemant, Chay Teemant, Clara Teemant, Coy Teemant, Cade Teemant, Mason (Ella) Teemant, Benjamin Teemant, Shane Reinwand, Desireé Reinwand, Kimball Reinwand, Farrah Reinwand, Caleb Reinwand, Harper Reinwand, Aubri Call, Maryn Call, Tenyll Call, Anson Call, Taysen Call, Azriel Teemant, Kiva Teemant, Liiu Teemant, and great grand children Ryan Lerdahl, Grace Lerdahl, Joy Lerdahl, Royal Christiansen, Stanton Christiansen, Jeffrey Christiansen, Flora Christiansen, Nova Celeste Teemant, Wylie Wallace, and Quinn Wallace.

Viljar is preceded in death by his son Leo and three granddaughters Ashley Ruth Teemant, Karli Mae Teemant, and Evi Josephine Teemant