John Hunter

Wednesday, February 3, 2016 6:14 pm

John Hunter, 73, originally of Calmar, died peacefully in his sleep Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2016, at his home in Minneapolis, Minn. Memorial Mass of Christian Burial is at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6, at Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah, with Rev. Phillip Gibbs officiating. Inurnment is in St. Aloysius Catholic Cemetery in Calmar. Visitation begins at 12 p.m. Saturday, one hour before the service, at Fjelstul Funeral Home.

John (Jack) Hunter was born June 13, 1942, in Decorah, the son of Lyle and Eva (Hawkins) Hunter. During his childhood years he lived in Ossian and Calmar with his parents and sisters, Helen and Patricia.  John was united in marriage to Judith Garcia June 10, 1962, in Preston, Minn. Shortly afterwards they moved to Minneapolis, Minn. and were blessed with three children: Jacqueline, John and Nathan. Although they eventually divorced, John and Judy remained lifelong friends and shared many happy family events with their children and grandchildren. John started his working career as a diesel mechanic at White Motor Company in Minneapolis, Minn. He worked at various companies including Midwest Diesel and Koch Trucking. He really had a gift for working on engines, whether large or small. In his younger days he loved to work on and race stock cars out at Raceway Park with his buddies. He loved to ride his bike to work and all over the Cities on the weekends. One of John’s biggest passions was snowmobiling. It did not matter if it was day trips around the Cities, weekend adventures up North or week long saddle bag trips up to Superior, Wis.; going snowmobiling with friends, his children and grandchildren were some of the best times. Later years had him fishing with the grandchildren, going to World of Outlaw Races, gardening and taking road trips to visit his sisters.

John is survived by his children: Jacqueline (Wayne) Snyder of Eagan, Minn.; John Hunter of Crystal, Minn.; sisters Helen Herold of Calmar; Patricia Gerlich of Des Moines; grandchildren: Rachel, Hailey, Mitchell and Bradley Snyder; nephews: Steve (Cathy) Herold, Ron (Heidi) Herold, Bob (Lisa) Guttormson; nieces, Robin (Dave) Zweibahmer and Debra Guttormson.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Nathan, May 10, 2001; and ex-wife, Judith,  Aug. 29, 2015.

John is going to be greatly missed by many for his quiet, unassuming ways.

Family was very important to him and we will all remember his patience, kindness and those Hallmark cards that he picked out especially for each of us.

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