Simon Jack Johanek

Simon Jack Johanek, Jr., 73, of Meadowlands died Friday, August 14, 2009 in St. Luke's Hospital in Duluth with his children by his side. He was born Feb. 25, 1936 in Duluth to Simon and Aloise Johanek. Simon married Jeanne Hokkanen on Dec. 2, 1961 in Floodwood. They made their home in Meadowlands, farming the family farm where Simon grew up. In addition to farming, Simon also worked as a delivery man for Schneiderman's Furniture, hauled milk for Meadowlands Creamery, was a security guard for Northeastern Correctional Facility in Duluth, and worked in the mines in Forbes. In 1972, he sold the cattle and moved to Pipestone so that he could attend meat cutting school and in 1973, he moved back to Meadowlands and worked as a meat cutter for Red Owl, later Country Store, in Hibbing until the early 1990's. Simon continued to cut meat on his own and at the Meadowlands Coop Store until retiring in 2004. He served in the Army Reserves for six years. Simon enjoyed farming, fishing, playing cards, mowing the lawn, hunting, gardening, Twins baseball and just being outdoors and enjoying nature. Simon was preceded in death by his wife, Jeanne on April 25, 1999; sister, Helen Morse and brother, Joseph Johanek. He is survived by his four children, Daniel (Anne) of St. Cloud, Cindy Johanek of Brooklyn Park, Patty (Craig) Walczak of Brooklyn Park, and Nita (Timm) Ringhofer of International Falls; eight grandchildren, Taylor and Amy Johanek, Alex, Jessica and Anna Ringhofer and Victoria, Brady and Christopher Johanek; sister, Mary (Charles) Karasek of Meadowlands and his best friend, Dawn Clarke of Meadowlands; and many nieces and nephews and their families. A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Wednesday, August 19, 2009 in St. Mary's Catholic Church, Meadowlands. Burial was in Meadowlands Cemetery. A time of lunch and fellowship followed in the Meadowlands Community Center. Arrangements entrusted to Atkins-Northland Funeral Home in Cloquet. To sign the guest book and offer an online tribute, see www.atkinsnorthlandfuneralhome.com