Mike W. Bryant
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (July 03/02) - It can be easily argued that Karl Lust helped build this town -- literally.

Lust had been majority owner of Johnson's Building Supplies since taking over the business from founder Oscar Ivar Johnson in 1971.

Karl Lust came North to Yellowknife in 1956 from his native Austria. By 1971, he was the majority owner of Johnson's Building Supplies. He died Saturday at age 68. - NNSL file photo

He died Saturday, leaving family and friends to reflect on a man who played a pivotal role in the construction of the original Stanton Hospital, the town's first curling rink, among many other Yellowknife landmarks. Lust was 68.

"He's going to be missed," said Ron Kapicki, who became friends with him in the mid-sixties, and starting working at the store in 1991.

"He was like an archive here. I'll bet you the North is filled with Johnson's pickets. He was a Northern legend."

Ken Weaver, co-owner of the Weaver and Devore Trading store right around the corner from the Franklin Ave. building supplies store, remembers when he was a young boy watching Lust at work.

'Prince of a man'

"He spent his life working at the building supply store," said Weaver. "I have a lot of respect for the man. I just thought he was a prince of a man."

Lust first came to Yellowknife in 1956, having immigrated from Austria four years prior, to work as Johnson's cabinet maker. He rose quickly within the company, before taking it over when Johnson retired.

In an interview with Yellowknifer last January, Lust said his reasons for staying in the North were simple: It was the friendliest place he had ever been.

"I enjoy the friendly atmosphere of the North," said Lust. "It's got a beautiful atmosphere that I haven't seen anywhere else before."

His daughter Sandra Gellenbeck said he was a devoted family man, who looked out for his friends as well.

"He was very devoted to his family," said Gellenbeck. "He was a very kind hearted man. Not only was he a good family man, he looked after his friends."

Besides Gellenbeck, Lust is survived by his wife Gertrude and four grandchildren: Andrea, Mandy, Aurora, and Logan.

He also has four surviving brothers, and one sister, still living in Europe.

As of press time, the family was still making arrangements for his funeral.