It is a gloomy dark day in Arizona today which is appropriate because I just got word of my dear friends passing.  We were neighbors to Jack and Lois for afew years we had a great friendship, sharing joy and sorrow.  We had so many laughs and I will always remember Jacks smiling face, and his laugh. It was always a pleasure to be in his company.

distance kept us from visiting often but when possible we kept in touch. My family and I will miss him, and I know there will be a void that will never be filled for his family and friends. 

Girls, Roxanne and Dawn I am so sorry for your loss.

We've missed Jack's smiling face in the last few months. He always made the day brighter with his wit and kind,pleasant nature. One if the few customers that always made the day worthwhile. he was a great man and always concerned about others. Will be greatly missed. Our condolences.

Pat Hinrichs

Lyle Hinrichs

I worked summers at RPU while I was going to college from 1982 - 1986.  Most of my time was spent with the Underground crew working for Kert Stensrud, Paul Maass and Bruce Lohse, but once in awhile I was with Jack and Gomer hauling brush and running the chipper.  In 85 and 86, up until I left RPU and Rochester in November of 86, I was with Jack all the time.  I had such a great time working with him!

Being in so many Rochester backyards trimming around the lines we'd enjoy the variety of fruits and veggies that people grew in their gardens!  We used to pick up walnuts and toss them in a gunny sack that we kept on the truck.  We'd let them dry out over the summer and then crack them in the vise on the back of the truck.  Jack got a big laugh when he told me to peel the green outer skin off the walnuts and I proceeded without any gloves.  He busted a gut when my fingers turned purple and stayed that way for a couple weeks!

Jack, along with all the other linemen knew my family quite well.  My grandpa, Lester (Dunk) Duncanson, had been a lifelong RPU lineman and finished up in the Meter Dept when he retired about 1980.  My other grandpa (Vince Huyber) and my dad (John Huyber) were electrical contractors and owned H&H Electric in town.  It was great to hear Jack tell all kinds of stories about my grandpas and dad.  H&H did all of the traffic signal work in town back then along with a lot of other underground work, so my dad was often found with a shovel in his hand.  Several times during the summer as we moved from job to job we would come across my dad at one of his job sites.  Jack and my dad never greeted each other by name, instead Jack would yell "Hi Gopher!" and my dad would reply "Hi Squirrel!"  Mutual acknowledgment of how each man earned his living.

I remember how much Jack enjoyed his new truck after the other one caught fire.  I'm pretty sure Jack was on vacation when that happened and I know I wasn't on the brush crew that week!  (Gomer and Todd Erickson if my memory is correct)  Getting the new clam truck was awesome as I used to get all hacked up and cut feeding brush into the chipper.  Willow branches were the worst, just like a whip!!

Other memories of Jack:  I remember Lois was going through her cancer then, but Jack was always upbeat about how she'd beat it.  He always talked about Dawn and Roxanne, such a teddy bear when he was talking about his girls.  His dog Sheriff and his beloved Cub Cadet lawn tractor!!  He would talk some serious smack with anyone that owned a John Deere (Roger Traverse maybe?)  His love for the Vikings and buying our weekly numbers from the waitresses at Grandma's Kitchen or Cheap Charlie's.  He's have the waitress kiss the ticket for luck and then he'd rub it a little bit with his thumb, but not TOO much or you might rub away a good number!  He would open it so slowly and just peek at the first number......and get so excited if it was a 0, 3, 4 or 7!  He'd clap and rub his hands together while giggling if he got two good numbers and curse a bit if he pulled a 2 or a 5!

I learned a lot from Jack about saws, sharpening chains and taking care of your ropes.  He always treated me well and with respect even though I was just a 21-22 year old kid.  He was quick with a joke and was always smiling and laughing.  If I was ever in his neighborhood I'd stop by the house as I knew there was an ice cold Blatz in the fridge!  I moved to the Twin Cities late in 1986 and saw him maybe one more time at a big party he had at the house with a rented hot tub out back.  Great fun as always with him!

I regret not keeping in touch with him over the years and I know he'll be missed.  My condolences to the family.

John Huyber  (Burnsville, MN)

It was a pleasure getting to know Jack. His work ethic and kind heart made quit an impression on me when I was young and new to town. Sorry for your lose, he will certainly be missed. Sincerely Dave Terrill.

Jack was truly special.  I loved his smile and laugh...  His special way of cheering on his favorite teams (with expletives)... and his over the top enjoyment of sitting on his deck and soaking up the sun...  His fondness for prune kolaches, squash, potatoes and potato dumplings.  It was so fun to see the relationships he had with his daughter Dawn (and the way they would tease each other), his friends like Sully, Mark and Karen (and how he loved Olive), and his special friendship with Alice.  He was so sweet to my dog Alex and would giggle when he fed him treats, as Alex is very gentle and Jack would hold the treat for a good long time teasing him!!  I know he loved his family and spoke often of his daughters, Roxann & Dawn and about his grandchildren and sister, Doris.  I feel fortunate I was able to spend time with him.  

Very sorry for your loss. He was one of a kind!  

So sorry for your loss, Jack was the best.

John and Pat Bergaus

 Remembering Jack,

I remember Jack working with my dad Kertis Stensrud. Jack and the RPU gang made me feel like I was part of the team sitting in the big red trucks and standing in the bucket once in a while. As an 8 year old I sure felt like I was. I remember Jack smiling ALL THE TIME and making me laugh. RIP Jack

Dan Stensrud

Condolences from the Riess family in Colorado. I am Darrell and Karen's son and new Jack. He was one of the guys who made the sign for the front yard when I was brought home back in 1971. Again, condolenceso from Colorado.

What a wonderful man and friend, we have many fond memories, and had lots of fun with Jack and Lois.  The angels are with him. 

Jack was a great guy and will be missed dearly by all of us who knew him. He was always quick with a smile and his famous laugh to follow. We had many great times over the years and I will think back on those often. He really is back with the love of his life now . We will meet again Jack so chalk up that cue and you had better shoot a couple of practice rounds.

Love you Buddy !

Jack was my sweetheart. I feel so blessed and honored to have been his personal barber for the last few years, and to have spent such wonderful time with him for his first few months at Riverbend. I loved Jack so very much, and was lucky to be loved by him. I will always remember all of our laughs we shared, the tears, the deep conversations, and our very special relationship. Thank you for that gift! I love you all so much.