John Charles Standke, 85, of Owatonna, died Friday, July 15, 2016 at Brookdale Senior Living with his family by his side. John was born on December 28, 1930 in Somerset Township, the son of John L. and Nettie (Kruckeberg) Standke. He attended District #57 grade school and graduated from Owatonna High School in 1948. He married Beverly Worke on June 24th 1961 at St. John Lutheran Church. John joined the Minnesota Air National Guard in 1949 and shortly after went on active duty with the United States Air Force. At the conclusion of active duty, he continued service with the Minnesota Air National Guard. He spent the next 28 years working for North Central & Republic Airlines. He was a man of many interests, and after his career in the airline industry, he attended Auctioneer School in Mason City, Iowa & received a degree in welding at Faribault Vo-Tech. John was a member of the American Legion, Eagles, V.F.W., and a lifelong member of the American Veterans Post #23 where he served as Post Commander from 1993-95. He also served as Chaplain of the 1993 American Veterans State Convention, was the American Veterans State Commander from 2003-04 & 2005-06, and served as Chairman of the Minnesota Veterans Scholarship Committee. Other memberships include the Tonna Flyers, 20 Rifle Pistol Club and Big Brothers Big Sisters. John volunteered his time driving for the American Cancer and American Heart Associations, and was a weekly visitor to assisted living facilities in Owatonna, Aitkin, and Grand Rapids. In 2009 he was honored for 50 years of service as a Steele County Special Deputy. John loved flying and earned his private pilot and hot air balloon licenses. He also achieved a life-time goal of sky diving when he was 80 years old. He loved time spent at the family cabin on Pokegama Lake in Grand Rapids, MN, and was an avid hunter, fisherman, and snowmobiler. He is survived by his wife Beverly; daughters Renee (Jay) Swenson of Owatonna, and Kari (Brad) Dehn of Maple Grove; grandchildren Michael (Felicia) Swenson of Superior, WI, Kelli (Andrew) Anderson of Owatonna, William Dehn of Chicago, IL, Emily Dehn of Maple Grove, and 3 great grandchildren; brother, Dale (Sue) Standke of Morristown; sisters LaDonna (Reuben) Ebeling, and Arlene (Ted) Sorenson; and brother-in-law, Harold Schroeder all of Owatonna; as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister and brother-in-law LaVonne & George Meixner, brother and sister-in-law, Myron & Janette Standke, and sister Orvetta Schroeder. The family would like to express sincere gratitude for the exceptional care John received at Brookdale Senior Living. A memorial service will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, July 23, 2016, at St. John Lutheran Church in Owatonna, MN. Visitation will be at the church from 9:30am until the hour of service. Military Honors will be provided by the Steele County Military Honor Team. His burial will be in Steele Center Cemetery in Somerset Township. Visitation: 07/23/2016 09:30 07/23/2016 11:00 Service: Owatonna 07/23/2016 11:00