Date of Birth:
Saturday, October 30, 1954
Date of Death:
Sunday, June 12, 2022
Age:
67 years old

Jack Williams

Jack Williams of Rochester, passed away suddenly on Sunday June 12, 2022, at the age of 67.  He loved many deeply and was deeply loved by many. He loved life and passed way too young.

Jack was born on October 30, 1954, to Jack and Geraldine (Lysakowsi (Pelnar))  Williams in Menominee MI. In his youth he lived in Menominee, Arcadia WI, and Winona MN. During his teenage years he worked at his Dads furniture manufacturing plant, Williams Manufacturing, in Winona MN.  Then he joined the Navy serving on the USS Saratoga as a quarter master.  He spent time after the service “touring” (aka hitchhiking) around Europe.

Jack was united in marriage to the love of his life, Laurie Deck, on May 28, 1988, at St Michaels Catholic Church in Arcadia. The couple lived in Rochester MN. Jack was a “Jack of all trades”, mostly self-employed in the trades such as siding, painting, dry walling, ceramic tile, roofing, building decks, etc… You name it, he could do it and did do it. With his love for sports, he owned and operated, Baseball Buydowns, sports memorabilia shop for many years. Jack volunteered as a coach for baseball, football, and basketball for many years; from the time his boys (Zach & Alex) were young until they graduated high school. He loved to help the kids he coached reach beyond their athletic potential and gave each an opportunity to play any position. He believed in them, guided them, and showed them how to become better young men. He loved to win but felt it was more important that the kids had fun and all participated. It was always about the kids.

Jack loved music and was musically inclined. He played guitar, piano, and drums. In his younger years he was the lead singer in local Winona band, River Witch Rock-n-Roll show. He loved to sit around a campfire with friends and family and play his guitar. He loved to jam with his sons in the basement of our home until wee hours of the morning. He also loved to jam with his brother Jim.

Jack loved playing games and was very competitive however, he always looked out for other players especially the kids and most of the time his wife (ha). He spent many all-nighters playing monopoly with his nephews, nieces, and kids, he also loved playing partner Euchre, buck Euchre, code names, etc… too many to mention them all. He was an avid scrabble player always looking for that seven letter (BINGO) word and achieving it almost every game. Sometimes multiple times in one game and even stretching the word to reach two double word tiles in one play. He loved trivia and always seemed to pull the correct answer out at the last second. He loved the challenge of thinking games, as it stimulated his mind.

Jack was an avid gardener and it showed as he hand-built limestone sidewalks, flower gardens and a pond in our backyard. He loved working outside and would spend hours upkeeping the gardens and lawn. Jack loved helping people. He was the go-to guy and when he did not know the answer, he “knew a guy”. Jack talked to anyone and everyone. He was always thinking of others; always putting them first and himself last.  He always had a story or ten to tell at every gathering.  His motto in life was go big or go home! He lived life to the fullest. He loved his family, his friends and was always goofing around with all the kids at family gatherings. He always had a way with kids, probably because he was a kid at heart. He had the biggest heart and will be greatly missed by everyone that had the pleasure of getting to know him. He had a very strong faith in God, and is in His hands now.

Jack is survived by his wife: Laurie “Jacks wife” of Rochester; children: Zachary of Brooklyn Park; Alexander (Courtney – finance) of Rochester; Jack of Fond du Lac WI, Jim of Fond du Lac WI, Jessica of Aurora CO. 6 grandchildren: Ayden, Laila, Fearsin, Landon, Gabby and Leonidas; his Mother: Geraldine Pelnar of Rochester; two sisters: Jeannie (Matt) Vickery of Sleepy Eye; Barb (Mark) Pierce of Hopkins; one brother Jim of Penngrove CA; Faithful dog Roscoe. He was preceded in death by his Father, Jack Williams, grandparents, and other relatives.

A prayer service and celebration of life will be held at the Williams family home on Friday, June 24, 2022, from 11 am to 1pm for family and invited friends. The prayer service will start at 11:30. Other friends are welcome to come and pay their respects and share your memories and stories of Jack from 1 pm to 4pm.

In lieu of flowers, direct memorials to “Williams Family”.

If needed, please call or text 507-990-3731 for details on how to get to the family’s residence.