11/11/2025
John "Jack" Wesley Newman
John “Jack” Wesley Newman, age 95, of Austin, Minnesota, passed away on the evening of Sunday, November 9, 2025, at Sacred Heart Assisted Living with family by his side. On October 22, 1930, Jack made his entrance to this world early and at home in Austin, weighing in at less than three pounds to parents, John Wesley and Hilda (Olsen) Newman. Since birth, Jack has been beating the odds and standing strong. He attended Austin High School. Jack proudly joined the United States Army in 1948, during the Korean War. During his time in the military, he saw many things and was one of the lucky ones that came home to tell his story. In 1952, he was honorably discharged and received the Silver Star Medal for his valor. Upon arriving back in Minnesota, he finally got to take his pen pal through the war, Marilyn Joseph, out for a date; the rest was history. The pair were wed on June 21, 1952, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa, and together raised five children. The couple would often be found together enjoying a cup of coffee and with each other’s company. Jack was a hard-working man all of his days. He began his career working for 10 years at American Auto Parts, salvaging cars. Following that, he worked for 30 years at Elk River Concrete, retiring in 1996. Though he retired, he didn’t stop working; he continued his employment part time at The Plant Place, Sears, and Lansing Corners. Jack enjoyed driving stock cars, fishing, hunting, and camping in his younger years. As he grew older, he enjoyed tinkering in his garage, growing his garden, watching Westerns, American Pickers, and The Curse of Oak Island. He also loved his pets dearly. Though he could be seen as a little grouchy and stubborn, which is something his family endearingly teased him about, those who were lucky to be close to him always knew how much he loved his family. Above all, he was a devoted husband to his beloved Marilyn and cared for her throughout her own health challenges. Before she passed, they celebrated 60 years of marriage.
Jack is survived by his children, Becky (Gary) Rector of Austin, Bill (Joanne) Newman of Blooming Prairie, and Glenn Newman of Austin; daughters-in-law, Deb Newman of Austin and Babs Newman of Austin; grandchildren, Bobbi Jo (Jason), Wendi (Greg), Brandon (Lacey), Jackie, Jessica (Nick), Vanessa (Mark), Tiffany, Ashley, Jordan, Elizabeth (Stephen), Hayley (David), and Zach; great-grandchildren, Jacob (Katherine), Seth, Cale, Alijha, Naryk, Norah, Jayden, Alex, Lilly, Lyla, Jeremy, Jonathan, Emilee, Mickela, Michael, Avery, Sierra, Emma, Ely, Olivia, Marlow, Parker, and Wesley; and great-great grandchildren, Benjamin, Theodore, Jamison, Hazel, Bentley, Bobo, Louie, Asher, Josiah, Christopher, and Elias. Jack was reunited in heaven with his wife, Marilyn in 2012; parents, John and Hilda Newman; daughter, Mary (Greg) Thompson; son, John Newman; grandson, Jayden Howe; sisters, Betty Ricketts, Maddie (George) Miller, Gertie (Charles) Nicolson, and Dorothy Newman; and brother, William (Ardis) Newman.
The memorial service for Jack will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 14, 2025, at Worlein-Hoff Funeral Home in Austin. The visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Friday. Jack graciously donated his body to research with the Mayo Clinic Anatomy Bequest Program. When his donation is complete, he will be reunited with the love of his life at Grandview Cemetery in Austin. Worlein-Hoff Funeral Homes of Austin are assisting the family with arrangements.
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