John Petrich

PILLAGER — John D. Petrich, age 81, of Pillager, passed away at his home on Friday, Oct. 28.

A Mass will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 2, at 11 a.m. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Motley. The wake will be Tuesday evening from 5-7 p.m. at the Brenny Funeral Home in Staples, with Rosary at 6:30 p.m. and Prayers at 6:45 p.m., and also one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will take place at the Minnesota State Veteran’s Cemetery at a later date.

John was born on Aug. 23, 1930, in Enderlin, N.D., to Otto and Irma (Pitt) Petrich. When he was young, the family moved to the Mille Lacs area, and John graduated from Onamia High School in 1948. After school, he worked for a few years and was then drafted into the Army. He served his country for two years. After his discharge from the Army, John attended the University of Minnesota. On June 16, 1956, he was united in marriage to Bernice Macho, at Sacred Heart Church in Staples. In 1960, John took a job with MnDOT, and retired in 1990 as a highway engineer. Upon retiring, John and Bernice moved back to the area, settling in Pillager. He was a member of the American Legion Tri County Post 124, and he enjoyed woodworking, reading, and following politics and the stock market.

John is survived by his wife, Bernice; children, Curt (Lynn) of Dilworth, Minn., Susan Bennefeld of Golden Valley, Minn., Denise (David) Van Curen of Salinas, Calif., Mary (Kevin Flynn) Petrich of Phoenix, Ariz., Barb (Pete) Szendrey of Florisssant, Colo., Mike (Karla) of Quail Valley, Calif., and Tom (Cheryl) of Anoka, Minn.; 15 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Linda South; grandson, Mitchell Erickson; son-in-law, Steve Bennefeld; and daughter-in-law, Allison Petrich.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Lakewood Hospice.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Brenny Funeral Home in Staples.

Brenny Funeral Home

(218) 894-1910