John Schad, 83, Northfield

Published 12:31 pm Saturday, February 19, 2011

John Mark Schad was born July 10, 1927, in Albert Lea, to John B. and Martha L. (Madson) Schad. He was baptized at First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea, and as a child moved with his family to several communities prior to settling in Northfield in 1939. He was confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church and graduated from Northfield High School in 1945.

John Schad

In December 1944, he joined the U.S. Navy and was inducted in July 1945, serving in Hawaii. Following his honorable discharge in August 1946, he returned to Northfield and worked various jobs while attending the Minneapolis School of Business. He married Betty Lorrainne Evenson on June 11, 1950, at First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. They began married life in Northfield, and John Mark worked for the the U.S. Postal Service, retiring in 1987. He worked on and off for many years at the West and Grand Theaters, worked at the Northfield Golf Club for several years and ran the gambling operation for the Northfield VFW for 20 years.

John Mark was a member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, a former member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, a life member and past commander of the Northfield VFW, and a longtime member of the Northfield American Legion. He is a former member of the Mason Lodge and the Northfield Golf Club. Together with Betty, he enjoyed going to the casino, traveling and spending winters in California.

Survivors include his five children: Cindy and husband, Dean Huschle, of Northfield, Mary and husband, Stephen Brodersen, of Lansing, Kan., Laura and husband, Rick Leese, of Fontana, Kan., John and wife, Deb, of Northfield and Mark of Northfield; 11 grandchildren: Adam Nelson, Nicholas Huschle, Elizabeth (Erik) Jorgensen, Catherine Brodersen, Joseph Schad, Jinah Schad, Kaylin Schad, Bernt Leese, Bonnie Leese, Betty Jo (Brent) Johnson and Becky (Jeff) Inman; three great-grandchildren: Dalton and Sawyer Jorgensen and Keela Butler; and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty, on March 27, 2006, and his parents.

John Mark passed away with his family by his side on Thursday morning, Feb. 17, 2011, at the VA Medical Center in Minneapolis, at the age of 83.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Northfield with the Rev. Craig Ellingboe and the Rev. Paul Graham officiating. Special music will be provided by Joseph and Jinah Schad. Interment with military honors will be in Oaklawn Cemetery, Northfield. Honorary casket bearers will be Elizabeth Jorgensen, Adam Nelson, Catherine Brodersen, Kaylin Schad, Bernt Leese, Joseph Schad, Jinah Schad and Nicholas Huschle. Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Benson & Langehough Funeral Home. Visitation will continue at the church on Friday one hour prior to the service.

Memorials are preferred to the VFW’s Veteran’s Memorial Fund or St. Peter’s Lutheran Church Youth Group.

Arrangements are with the Benson & Langehough Funeral Home.