John L. Meilander
Sunday, April 13, 1947
Date of Death:
Monday, January 5, 2015
Age:
67 years old
Visitation
Date: Thursday January 08, 2015
Time: 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home [ view map ]
Second Visitation
Date: Friday January 09, 2015
Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Location: St. Bridgets Catholic Church [ view map ]
Funeral Mass
Date: Friday January 09, 2015
Time: 11:00 am
Location: St. Bridgets Catholic Church [ view map ]
Burial
Location: St. Bridget's Cemetery [ view map ]
Sunday, April 13, 1947
Date of Death:
Monday, January 5, 2015
Age:
67 years old
Sunday, April 13, 1947
Date of Death:
Monday, January 5, 2015
Age:
67 years old
John L. Meilander
John L. Meilander, 67, of Rochester passed away on January 5, 2015 at home, surrounded by his wife and three children, after an ongoing battle with leukemia.
John was born April 13, 1947 in Chicago, IL to Lawrence and Frances (Ziegler) Meilander. A few years after he was born, his family moved to Adams, MN and eventually settled in Rochester. He attended John Marshall High School in Rochester. After high school, he joined the United States Navy (1965-1968) where he served in the Mobile Construction Battalion during the Vietnam War. He was also stationed in Antarctica, New Zealand, and Hawaii. On January 24, 1970 he was married to Suzanne Stucky of Pine Island. They lived in Rochester and in Pine Island. Together they had three children; the couple later divorced. John worked as electrician for 30 years. He retired from Adair Electric in 2009. John was a long time member of St. Francis of Assisi Church in Rochester.
On March 28, 1998, John married Janice Bonow of Lewiston. In 2004, John and Janice realized one of their dreams by purchasing a farm outside of Rochester. This would be a place where new adventures and friendships would be created, and a place where grandchildren could explore, ride grandpa’s toys, and help grandma in the garden. Unfortunately, life changed in 2008 when John became ill and was diagnosed with Leukemia. While his illness forced him to retire, it did not stop him from continuing what he loved… being and working on the farm with Janice, having coffee with his friends, searching for treasures, finding the deal, and coming up with the next big project to work on. He will be missed and remembered for his strength, adventuresome spirit, soft heart, unconditional love, friendship, dry sense of humor, stubbornness, and famous oyster stew during Christmas.
John is survived by his loving wife, Janice Meilander of Rochester; Three children – Matthew (Julie) Meilander of Des Moines; Marie (Sean) Corfits of White Bear Lake; Angela Meilander of Rochester; Seven grandchildren – Morgan (15), Jane (13), and Will (11) Meilander; Michael (12) and Katelyn (11) Corfits; Matthew Johnson (13) and John Wagner (3); Four Brothers – Larry (Luisa) Meilander of Rochester; Frank (Jill) Meilander of San Diego; Thomas Meilander of Rochester; Joe (Janet) Meilander of Rochester.
He was proceeded in death by his parents and sister-in-law, Arlene Meilander.
Visitation will be from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM Thursday, January 8, 2015 in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home in Rochester and one hour prior to the funeral Mass. The Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00A.M. Friday, January, 9, 2015 at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church in Simpson with the Rev. Mark McNea officiating; 2123 County Highway 16, Rochester. Burial will be at St. Bridget’s Cemetery. A lunch will follow after the burial service.
A note to our neighbors, friends, Dr. Letendre from Mayo Clinic, Mary Kruse, Joan Harkin, and the many others from Mayo Hospice – Thank you for your help, support, and kindness.
On-line condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com.
Condolences
The family of John L. Meilander has received the following condolences.
To my good friend Tom and all of his family members I wish to extend my condolences for you at the passing of John. You are strong family and I know that even with the recent passing of mother Frances your faith and unity with one another will carry you through another loss. You and John will be remembered in my prayers and in Masses. May he rest in eternal peace.
Fr. Steve Peterson
Matt and family,
I am so sorry to learn about the passing of your father. I remember meeting him. What a fine gentleman. As I read his obituary, I kept thinking, "That sounds just like Matt!" I send my prayers and love to you and your family. I hope you are hanging in there. It would be great to see you again. I still have the same dinosaur email account: mmchugh13@hotmail.com
Sincerely,
Michael McHugh
Hovland, MN
Matt,
Very sorry to hear about your dad. It has been a long time since you and I have spoken but you and your family have always been close in my mind and heart. I'll never forget our camping trip with your father up the North Shore to George. H. Manitou State Park. Thanks to you and your dad for that everlasting memory. Best wishes and prayers to your whole family.
Mike
Jan , I am so sorry for your loss, I am glad you were able to retire and spend so much quality time with John. Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time of heartache, an pain...
Dear Jan, We are thinking about you...Dan and Sally Chapman
My sincere sympathy for the loss of your loved one. It was an honor to have known John. He was a good person. May God comfort you all during this difficult time.
Kathy Reese
Medford, MN.
Jan, I just came across John's obituary. I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I will miss talking with you and John. Take care of yourself.
Dear Matt, Julie, Marie, Sean, Angela and all my great nieces and nephews,
I have many wonderful memories of being together on your farm in Pine Island. The big sandbox, pigs and piglets, butchering chickens, racing to see who could shuck sweet corn the fastest, and chasing the laying hens around the corn crib. (Good thing we never got caught or there might have been heck to pay.) You all mean the world to me and you have my greatest sympathy. Your dad was hard working and loved to stay busy. He was a character and will be missed immensely. Love, Aunt LeaAnn
Jan, I have always enjoyed your company and the care you have provided to the Meilander family. I am sorry for your loss and the love and companionship that your and John shared. Sincerely, LeaAnn
Matt-
Our heart felt sympathy goes out to you and your family. It sounds like your father was enjoying the people and the things that he loved before his unfortunate passing. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
Mark
I have been a neighbor and friend of the Meilander family for about 60 years. I watched John and his brothers Larry, Frankie, Tommie and Joe grow into teenagers and young Men. Their Mother Francis was my mothers best friend.
Even thou the years have passed and I have lived in Texas for about 40 years, I have always kept up with the Boys thru their Mother. Often times I had quality visits with the family when I visited Minnesota to also visit my family.
John is now in a Great Place, free of pain, and is once again with his Mom and Dad.
This family has always been in my Thoughts and Prayers!
God Bless Johns Family.
Sincerely
Bob and Anne Steichen
15807 fm 2768
Volente, Texas
78641
512 677 6107
rsteichen@austin.rr.com
Our thoughts and prayers are with each and everyone of you. Our deepest sympathy to all.
Dear Jan and family, my thoughts and prayers are with you. We all miss you here at the PACU but glad you got to spend the last year together retired.
Matt,
We are sorry to hear about your father's passing. You, Julie and the rest of your family are in our thoughts a prayers.
God Bless,
Jon and Shelly
I am sorry to hear about his passing. My memories of Matt's dad make me smile to this day. The first time I met him I knew immediately where Matt came from. My prayers go to the family. I am thinking of you way out here in California.
Sincerely,
Drew McDonald
To my Big Brother Johnny,
I will truely miss you and all your phone calls. Some how you always knew when I was golfing. Many times I would just be teeing off, now I won't have any excuses if I play poorly, I appreciate all the things you did for me and I will miss you.
Thanks for being such a great "Big Brother. Your Little Brother Joe
Matt,
We are so sorry for your loss and we send our sympathies to you and your family. It is so hard to lose a parent but the good memories remain for you all. Prayers flying your way and a special hug!
John and I went to high school together we also went into the navy at the same time. I remember one time way back when John and I rolled his car over on broadway. Good times we had. I have lost touch with him over the years and I will truly miss him. I'm leave for Florida same day as the funeral so please accept my regards.
Jan, you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers at this time...
Take comfort in knowing John's spirit is strong and healthy again.
Sincerely, Nancy Eull
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Prayers from all the Biebl's are with you. Every one of us has special memories with cousin John. He will be greatly missed.
I personally remember most how excited I always was when I heard John and the kids (and Francis) were coming to the farm to visit. And when he would tell us of good hot spots for mushroom hunting around Rochester and Pine Island. Thinking of all of you. Rosanne
So sorry to hear of John's death. My sympathies to you, Jan, and your family on your loss. THinking of you at this sad time. Sue Mattson