John Wientjes, age 85, died Tuesday, February 12, 2013 at the Heritage House in Pequot Lakes, Minnesota. A memorial mass will be held on Saturday, February 16, 2013 beginning at 11:00 AM at St. Henry's Catholic Church in Perham, Minnesota with Father Matthew Kuhn officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the memorial mass at the church. Burial will take place at St. Stanislaus Catholic Cemetery in Perham.
John was born on May 22, 1927, to Henry and Mary (Elbers) Wientjes. They farmed in Butler and then in Corliss Townships. John was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army in 1945. On May 28, 1953, John was united in marriage to Janice Steinbach. They moved to North Minneapolis after their wedding and then to Maple Grove before retiring to Big Pine Lake in Perham. They then moved to a condo in the town of Perham, and in January 2012, to an assisted living facility in Park Rapids. John worked as a bus driver for the City of Minnapolis from 1954 – 1959, and then retiring in 1984 from Super Valu in Hopkins with 30 years of service.
John loved living at the lake. He never missed a fishing opener or a deer hunting opener until 2012, and in 2011, at age 83, showed us all he still had it in him by getting his deer. He went on many Canada fishing trips as well as duck hunting excursions in the Park Rapids area with his son, Ron and extended family and friends. He enjoyed coming to Park Rapids to help on the farm and spent many hours in the tractor helping with field work after he retired. He loved playing cards, Schmier, Whist, and Hearts with family and friends.
Surviving John is his son, Ron (Barb) of Lindstrom, Minnesota; daughter, Kathy May of Park Rapids, Minnesota; 3 grandchildren, Dan (Gwen) May of Park Rapids, Minnesota, Brandon May (fiancée Ally) of Fargo, North Dakota, and Ashley May of Moorhead, Minnesota; 2 great-grandchildren, Derek and Evan May of Park Rapids, Minnesota; and one sister-in-law, Delores Minten of Perham, Minnesota.
Preceding John in death are his parents; his wife, Janice on January 17, 2013; his siblings, Pete, Sonny, Ursula, Della, Mary, and Gertie; and son-in-law, Bill Minten.
We are thankful Mom and Dad are together again and at peace.