John "Jack" M. Kragenbring, age 74, of Waite Park, died on Tuesday, October 14, 2008 in Waite Park. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 18, 2008 at 2:00 PM at Augustana Memorial Chapel in Litchfield with Pastor Truman Stehr officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior the service.
Jack was born on the Wheeler family farm on Diamond lake in Kandiyohi County on April 22, 1934, the son of Aubner & Gertrude (Wheeler) Kragenbring. After graduating from Litchfield High School in 1952, he enlisted into the Marine Corp rising to the rank of Sgt. He served 2 years in French Morocco with the Marine Guard Detachment and at bases stateside. Jack was a lifetime member of the VFW Post #2818. After discharge from service he was employed by Anderson Chemical Company of Litchfield as a sales representative and continued to work for them for 40 years. On April 20, 1957, Jack married Mary Lee (Krout) Kragenbring at the Presbyterian Church in Litchfield. After retirement Jack and Mary Lee moved to Park Rapids, MN and later to Waite Park, MN. Over the years Jack enjoyed hunting, fishing, water-skiing, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and in later years hiking and biking - in particular the Woebegone Trail. Jack and Mary Lee also enjoyed traveling, especially the Oregon coast area.
Jack is survived by his wife of 51 1/2 years, Mary Lee; two daughters, Ann Kragenbring (Phil) Bode of Minneapolis and Linda (Kurt) Hansen of Park Rapids, MN Four grandchildren; Taylor Hansen, of Roseville, Jacob Hansen, of Duluth, Cullen and Gillian Bode of Minneapolis. Six siblings; Merwood (Alice) of Junction city, OR, Owen Kragenbring, Kathy Christensen of Litchfield, Bonnie (Jim) Fenner of Fort Collins, CO, Geri (Jerry) Keavy of St. Louis Park, Ronnie (Marie) Kragenbring of Litchfield.
Preceded in death by; parents Aubner and Gertrude Kragenbring, sister-in-law Margaret (Owen) Kragenbring and brother-in-law Jim (Kathy) Christensen.
Jack died peacefully at home on October 14, surrounded by his wife and daughters following a quietly courageous battle with ATC, a rare and aggressive form of cancer.
In lieu of flowers memorials preferred to the following; Augustana Homes of Litchfield, Coborn Cancer Center of St. Cloud and St. Cloud Hospital Hospice.