In Memory Of

Herbert Clifford Risto

Nov 9, 1938 - Jan 31, 2026

Service

Saturday, February 21, 2026
1:00 pm
Rocky Church of the Nazarene
5340 59 Avenue
Rocky Mountain House, Alberta

Notice

Donations can be made to Action International Ministries, Alberta.

Obituary

Herb went to his eternal home to be with his Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ with family by his side. He was born in Wetaskiwin, Alberta, the fifth of six siblings to Theodore and Alma Risto. As a child, and teenager, he worked on the family farm milking cows and raising pigs while attending Grand View School and then high school with his younger sister Priscilla.
At the age of six years old Herb gave his life to Jesus Christ at Pigeon Lake Bible Camp where his mother was the Camp Cook. He later dedicated his life to God for Missionary service at this same camp. Herb had an outgoing personality and could get into mischief at an early age, but a change of heart was seen after his decision. In 1959 Herb took his first semester at Prairie Bible Institute, then joined God’s Invasion Army for a year before returning to Bible School. Herb graduated from PBI in 1963 and was accepted to serve with the Fiji Missionary Fellowship. God led him to New Zealand where he evangelized on the city streets and taught Bible in schools.
Herb returned to Canada in 1965 to marry Winnifred Cole who was a friend and prayer partner, also called by God to serve as a missionary. They were married on October 16th 1965 at the Rocky Mountain House Church of the Nazarene. Both had a vision to win the people of the South Pacific to the Lord and returned to New Zealand, planting a church for the South Pacific Islanders. Their two daughters, Joy and Grace, were born in NZ and traveled along side with their parents to many of the South Pacific Islands and Fiji, showing Christian films and presenting the good news of the gospel. A trip back to Canada every fifth year was made to visit family and friends, and share what God was doing with supporters in many churches. In later years Herb and Winnifred served in the Philippines with Action International Ministries.
In October 2025 we celebrated Herb and Winnifred’s 60th Wedding Anniversary and over 50 years of Missionary work. Herb is survived by his loving wife Winnifred Risto, his younger sister Priscilla (Darrell) Riemer and his two daughters, Joy (Sean) Harper and Grace (Darren) Lloyd. His grandchildren, Andrew (Isabelle) Harper, Rachel (Robert) Lund, Joshua (Kristen) Murphy, Helena Murphy and Hannah Murphy, and eight great grandchildren (one in Heaven), along with many loved nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Herbs life will be held at the Rocky Mountain House Church of the Nazarene. Saturday, February 21st, 2026 at 1pm. Donations can be made to Action International Ministries, Alberta.

Post Your Condolence