John Frederick Wilson Sr.

John Frederick Wilson, Sr.

October 19, 1934 — October 30, 2025

John “Jack” Frederick Wilson, Sr, age 91, a resident of Siren, WI, passed away peacefully at his daughter’s home surrounded by his family on October 30, 2025 in Elk River, MN.

Jack was born on October 19, 1934 in St. Paul, Minnesota to parents John and Elsie Wilson.

Jack graduated in 1952 from “U High” in Minneapolis. He graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1956 earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Education.

Jack married the love of his life Barbara Jean Monson on August 13, 1955 in St. Paul, MN. They moved to Bishop, CA and then to Novato, CA. After living in California, they decided to move back to Minnesota where they resided in St. Paul, Minneapolis, and Golden Valley, raising their three children.

Jack held many careers throughout his life, but one of his most fulfilling was his time in Human Resources at various companies. Past colleagues often said his kind demeanor and genuine passion for helping others made him a perfect fit for the role. Whether supporting employees or navigating challenges, Jack always brought a thoughtful, empathetic approach that left a lasting impact on everyone he worked with.

After retirement, Jack and Barb spent ten years during the winter months in Lake Havasu City, AZ where they made many new, wonderful friends. They eventually moved full time to their lake place of 63 years in Siren, WI in 2021.

Jack was a man of many passions, but his favorite thing in the world was his family. It didn’t matter where they were; he was always there, smiling, taking in every moment spent together. He loved “puttering” in his garage and pole barn, building everything from small projects to larger creations, with a special talent for woodworking. At his cabin on Silver Lake, he took great pride in beautifying the yard and simply enjoying the perfect view of the sparkling lake each day.

A dedicated teacher, Jack shared wisdom and kindness with everyone he met. His adventurous spirit shone through in his second date with Barbara, a memorable plane ride as part of the University of Minnesota’s Flying Club. They just happened to fly to the Siren, WI airport, where years later, they would purchase a lake home.

Jack also had a lifelong love of cars, 37 of them throughout his life! When he and Barb were first married in 1955, they drove a King Midget, more of an oversized golf cart than a car. He converted a 1941 Packard hearse into a camper and he and Barb took it on a memorable road trip out West, visiting many of the country’s great national parks along the way. While living in California in 1956, they bought a Triumph TR3, and Jack absolutely loved that little sports car. In 1965, they embarked on another adventure, buying a Volkswagen in Germany and driving it across Europe for weeks before shipping it back to the States.

Jack’s love of life and family was evident in everything he did, and his kindness, to himself, to others, and to our planet, was a mantra he lived by each and every day.

Jack is preceded in death by his parents, John L. and Elsie (Woldt) Wilson; grandmother, Marie Woldt: wife, Barbara; son, Scott Wilson; grandson, Timothy Wilson; son-in-law, Mike Larson.

Jack is survived by his children, John “Butch” (Vicki) Wilson Jr, Diane Skogman-Larson, and daughter-in-law Sue Wilson; grandchildren, Nick (Katie) Skogman, Joshua Wilson, Kelsey (Brady) Sells, Stephanie (Sean) Riggs, and Greg Wilson; great-grandchildren, Jack Wilson, Lily Skogman, Evelyn Sells, Oliver Sells, Sydney Wilson, and Jacob Wilson; nieces Lisa (John) Gamblin, Julie (Steve) King, and nephew Paul (Maureen) Dyson and other family and friends.

A Celebration of Jack’s life will be held at Lakewood Cemetery Chapel (3600 Hennepin Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55408) on Friday, May 15, 2026.

In lieu of flowers, memorial in Jack's name may be directed to the Princeton office of St. Croix Hospice, 110 S Rum River DR Suite 4, Princeton, MN 55371 (763-290-6914).

My Journey’s Just Begun by Ellen Brenneman

Don’t think of me as gone away
 My journey’s just begun
 Life holds so many facets
 This earth is but one

Just think of me as resting
 From the sorrows and the tears
 In a place of warmth and comfort
 Where there are no days and years

Think of how I must be wishing
 That you could know today
 How nothing but your sadness
 Can really go away

And think of me as living
 In the hearts of those I touched
 For nothing loved is ever lost
 And I know I was loved so much

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of John Frederick Wilson Sr., please visit our floral store.