John Jocob Schleppenbach

John Schleppenbach age 77 of Tracy, MN died, surrounded by his loving family and friends, Monday, May 25, 2009 at his home. Services will be 1:00 PM Saturday, May 30, 2009 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Tracy. Visitation will be from 4:00 until 8:00 PM Friday, May 29, 2009 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, with a rosary at 4:00 PM, a Knights of Columbus rosary at 7:30 PM and a prayer service at 8:00 PM. One hour of visitation will be at the funeral home on Saturday prior to the service. Interment will be in the Calvary Cemetery in Tracy, followed by a luncheon at the Veteran’s Memorial Center, downtown Tracy. Please join family and friends for a Firebrick Farewell for a Final Round Salute from John, 5:00 PM Saturday at the Tracy Country Club. The Almlie Funeral Home of Tracy is handling the arrangements. The family requests that memorials be given to either the ALS Association of Minnesota or the Prairie Home Hospice of Lyon County. John Jacob Schleppenbach Jr. was born March 2, 1932 to John J. and Catherine (Krebs) Schleppenbach at the family home in Cold Spring, MN. He was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith and attended St. Boniface Catholic School, graduating from St. Boniface Catholic High School in 1950. John then entered St. John’s University for one year in Pre-Pharmacy before transferring to the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. While in college John also enlisted in the ROTC program with the U.S. Army. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Pharmacy in 1955 and entered into active duty in the Army as a 2nd Lieutenant. On August 27, 1955 John married Marjorie Ripka at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Melrose, MN. They made their home in Minneapolis, for a short time, and then San Antonio, TX, while John was in the military. In 1957 John received his Honorable Discharge from the Army and entered into service in the Army Reserve. That same year they moved to Tracy, MN where John began working for Kirkpatrick’s Drug Store. After several years John went to work for Dietz Drug in Tracy and in 1966 purchased the business, which then became, John’s Drug. In 2006 John’s youngest daughter, Maria, moved back to Tracy to become a partner in John’s Rx Drug, as a pharmacist and then John became semi-retired. John was very involved in his church and the community. As a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Tracy, he was a member of the church choir and Knights of Columbus. In his community he was involved in the Tracy Community Band, as a member of the Tracy American Legion, Tracy Lions Club, Tracy Kiwanis, and the Tracy Chamber of Commerce. In the past he was a member of a barber shop quartet, The Tracy Tones and a men’s chorus, the Shetek Plainsmen. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, golf, spending time at the family lake home on Lake Shetek, and was a long time sponsor of MN Waterfowl Association, Pheasant’s Forever and Duck’s Unlimited. With all this, and a dedicated spirit to his business and the people that he served, John’s greatest love in life was his wife and their children and grandchildren. A little more than a year ago John was diagnosed with ALS and yet, he never quit smiling and staying active until it was physically impossible for him. John’s courageous spirit during this past year has been an inspiration to his family and the many beloved friends that mourn his passing. On Monday, May 25, 2009 John died, surrounded by his loving children and good friends, at his home at the age of 77. John is survived by his three daughters, Sandra (Bruce) Hanson of Blue Earth, MN, Julie (Tracy) Nelson of Farmington, MN and Maria (Jody) Grogan of Slayton, MN; one son, John “Jake” (Robin) Schleppenbach of St. Louis Park, MN; seven grandchildren, Hilary, Connor and Carter Hanson, Abbey and Claire Nelson, and Jordan and Sawyer Grogan; one brother, Roy (Mary) Schleppenbach of Cold Spring, MN; one sister, Cathy Manuel of Maple Lake, MN; nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends. His parents, his beloved wife, Marge and four brothers-in-law, Dave Manuel, Wally Froehle, Ken Ripka and Joe Ripka preceded him in death.