John F. Vasecka

PINE RIVER -- John F. Vasecka, age 82, of Pine River, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, April 6, 2004, at Whispering Pines Good Samaritan Center in Pine River. He was born Aug. 18, 1921, in Wadena County to John and Nellie Vasecka. John was a veteran of the United States Army, serving with the 82nd Airborne in Germany from 1944 to 1946 and met the Russians at the Alb River. He married Joyce Hultgren on Sept. 10, 1946, at the Sacred Heart Church in Staples. They lived in Motley until 1954, then made their home in Coon Rapids for the next 19 years before moving to Pine River in 1973. John transported new Ford vehicles for KW McKee Trucking Co., of St. Paul for more than 30 years before retiring in 1982. He was an avid hunter, fisherman and loved to garden. John was feared by whitetails and bluegills, loved by many and will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his wife, Joyce; children Doug Vasecka (Robin) of East Bethel, Glen Vasecka (Randy Taubert) of Motley, Karen Cave (Chuck) of Blaine, Joan Smith (David) of Pine River, and John Vasecka of Minneapolis; grandchildren Troy, Ricky, Kelli, Martina, Elizabeth, Shannon, Molly, Melanie and Tasha; seven great-grandchildren; sisters Mary Vierzba of Sauk Rapids, Kay Hebrink of Fridley, and Emily Becker of Holdingford; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Tom, Joseph and James, and sister, Helen Thorsett.

Services will be 11 a.m. Monday, April 12 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Pine River with Father Bruce Engen officiating. Burial will be in Ponto Lake Cemetery, rural Pine River. Friends may call Sunday from 6-8 p.m. at Kline Funeral Home, Pine River, and from 9 a.m. until the time of the service at the church. Arrangements by Kline Funeral Home, Pine River.