John was born October 21, 1944 in Lanesboro to John Gordon “Gordy” and Evelyn (Biel) Rein. He attended Highland Country School and graduated from the Lanesboro High School in 1962. In July of 1973 he swept Sandra Kay Haugstad off her feet with his charming smile and dance moves, and on November 24, 1973 they married at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Lanesboro. He farmed his entire life in the Highland area and was especially proud of his four boys: John, Jeff, Justin, and Josh and his herd of registered Angus cattle, in debatable order. John was a founding member of the Fillmore County Cattlemen’s Association and was also a member of the Minnesota and American Angus Associations, and the Fillmore County Pork Producers. John also had served on the Lanesboro School Board for fifteen years.
He enjoyed working on the farm raising his Angus cattle, driving and maintaining his John Deere equipment, playing guitar, dancing, singing, talking with local farmers, visiting with friends and family, watching RFD TV, going to his son’s and grandchildren’s events, and driving his family and friends on long evening wagon rides.
John passed away at his home surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, August 9, 2018 at the age of 73.
John is survived by his wife Sandy, four sons, twelve grandchildren, and one great grandchild. John (Michelle) of Lanesboro and their three children John Thoben (JT), Michael, and Sari; Jeff (Ashley) of Mabel and their three children Gryffen, Gwenyth, and Zoey; Justin (Tonya Jo) of Kasson and their four children Dalton (fiancé Theresa) and their daughter Alice, Tatiana (Kevin) and their daughter Kita, Michaiah, and Ikaya; Josh (Kristi) of Lanesboro and their two children Logan and Boe; brothers Peter (Donna) of Harmony and Steve (Deborah) of Lanesboro, and sister Cindy (Robert) Holmen of Lanesboro.
John is preceded in death by his parents.
Visitation will be Tuesday, August 14th from 5 – 8 p.m. at Elstad Lutheran Church, rural Lanesboro and one hour prior to services. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 15th at Elstad Lutheran Church, rural Lanesboro with Pastor Luther Mathsen officiating and lunch to follow. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery. |
