John F. Spatenka, age 88 of Blooming Prairie, died Wednesday, January 5, 2022 at Benedictine Living Center in Owatonna.
John Frank Spatenka, the son of George and Vlasta (Kubat) Spatenka, was born on November 27, 1933, near Owatonna. He attended country school and then Owatonna High School, graduating in 1952. He farmed with his family and also helped on the Myers family farm. On July 14, 1954, he was united in marriage to Janice Myers at First Presbyterian Church of Clarmont. The two raised their family on a farm outside Claremont before moving to Blooming Prairie. While farming he started working for Owatonna Canning Company. He stopped farming and worked road construction with Farr Construction. John got his real estate license and worked for various agencies. He became a broker and started his own agency working in real estate for over 40 years. He enjoyed fishing and driving around the area checking on the crops. The slower the drive the better; often munching on corn chips and licorice. He also enjoyed restoring antique tractors, especially 2 cylinder John Deere. John planted many trees and encouraged other to do the same. He loved spending time with his family.
John is survived by his children, Joylene "Monkey" (Gary) Johnson of Claremont, Jon "Dude" (Kara) Spatenka of Ellendale, and Jeffrey Spatenka of Minnesota; grandchildren, Brad johnson, Melanie Jortack, Kristine McMahon, Trevor Spatenka, Taelor Spatenka, Dylan Spatenka; seven great-grandchildren; brother Robert Spatenka and sisters Donna Wobschall and Katherine Spatenka-Kyllo. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Janice; son Jerome Spatenka; grandson Tim Spatenka; siblings Joyce Johnson, Lorrain Rowe, Calvin Spatenka, Mary Ann Kopp, George Spatenka, Jim Spatenka, Patsy Bock, and infant siblings Richard, Alice, and Frank Spatenka.
Visitation will be from 1:00 to 3:00 PM at First Presbyterian Church in Claremont, on Sunday, January 16, 2022 with a memorial service starting at 3:00 PM. Burial will follow at Claremont Street Cemetery at a later date this spring.
