John ‘Jack’ Werner, 92

John “Jack” Werner died Thursday, Jan. 17, 2019, at Gardenview Apartments in Watkins. He was 92. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 23, at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Watkins with Fr. Aaron Nett officiating. Interment will be at St. Anthony Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 22, and one hour prior to the service Wednesday, at St. Anthony Parish Center.

Jack was born in Watkins Feb. 1, 1926, the youngest child of Nicholas and Lorraine (Becker) Werner. He attended elementary school at St. Anthony Catholic School and graduated from Kimball High School in 1944. He married Lorraine Abeln of Richmond June 18, 1949.

Jack served in the U.S. Army from 1944-1946 – in France and Germany during World War II. He worked in the grain elevator business for 32 years with his father at the Werner Elevator in Watkins, becoming a partner in 1960 and taking over the business in 1965. He sold the business in 1978.

Jack was a member of the American Legion Post #453, the Wat-Kim-Valley VFW Post #5460, the Watkins Lions Club, the Watkins Fire Department, the Watkins School Board, the Watkins Senior Citizens, and St. Anthony Parish. He served as Post Commander of the American Legion, Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce, and President of the Watkins Lions Club. Jack was on the Watkins School Board when land was purchased to build the current Watkins Elementary School. He was a board member of the St. Anthony Church Parish Council for eight years, and a funeral mass server for 13 years.

Jack enjoyed biking, walking, bowling, gardening, playing cards, dancing, and following the Watkins Clippers baseball team. He volunteered as a driver for Meals On Wheels, and was honored as the Meeker County Volunteer of the Year in 2008.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, and brother Richard “Dick” Werner.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years Lorraine; daughters Carol Steinke of Grand Forks, N.D., Mary (and Paul) Lenfestey of Eau Claire, Wis., and Nancy (and Marv) Karth of West St. Paul; grandchildren Josh (and Lindsey) Steinke of Grand Forks, N.D., Tracy Karth of Akron, Ohio, and Michelle Karth of Hopkins; and great-grandchildren Jack and Lila Steinke of Grand Forks, N.D.; and sister Jean Peterson of Superior, Wis.

Arrangements are by Ertl Funeral Home in Watkins.