John Foster Stilson

John Foster Stilson was born November 5, 1953 on a train trip from MN to CA at an emergency stop in Portland, Oregon. John moved back to MN right before his dad passed away when he was 13 and graduated from Mora High School in 1971. He attended Anoka Ramsey Community College where he met the love of his life. They met in January 1975, were engaged in March and married in August and together for 46 years. He lived in the northern suburbs the rest of his life. Bought a house in Blaine and lived there for 27 years and as health became more of a struggle moved to a Twin Home in Champlin and lived there for 16 years. During his young adult years he was very involved in sports. He played on the church softball league, basketball, bowling, tennis and golf. As the side effects from his childhood diabetes took effect he gave up many of his sports. His love for watching Krista and Jodi's sporting events far exceeded any joy he could imagine. He always said having girls was the best. Then he continued the joy by watching his grandsons' sporting events. His grandsons also had the same interest in books and movies and they loved to discuss them. He loved playing for hours with his granddaughter Laura, sometimes Grandpa was the one getting into trouble as they would play. He got shorter amount of time with Claire due to no travel with Covid, but the time he had with her was precious at the end. They both loved playing on Grandpa's Ipad and using his cane as their horse. John was involved in church during his early years, besides playing sports. After becoming a member at CRUMC he joined a young adults group for many years. That is where he got some of his lifelong friends. He was a second grade Sunday School teacher for a few years. He played the dog in a Kid's Praise musical and was a youth group leader. John had jobs as a machinist and in the office for Kurt Mfg and then as an accounting clerk for Keystone / LKQ. His working career ended in 2015 when he went on permanent disability. The last few years John's joy has been his wood working shop in the garage. It kept him busy on good days and he made many things. The last thing he made was a chess set. John struggled with his health for all his life. Doctors always told him most people only have one major issue, not the many he had. He had diabetes, surgery on almost every joint from sports. Blood disorder TTP, Castlemans disease, shattered knee and heel. Received his first kidney/pancreas transplant in 1997. Many skin cancers, years of wound care, heart bypass and another kidney transplant. Lost his peripheral vision, so he could no longer drive. Last few years severe back pain and arthritis limited his walking. At the end being immune suppressed Covid caught up with him and then while in ICU he had a major heart attack. Age 68 of Champlin, MN, passed away February 4, 2022 at M Health Fairview Univ of MN Medical Center. Survived by his loving wife Kari Stilson and dearly loved children Krista (Ivan Guarin) Stilson Guarin, Jodi (Chris) Bowtell; and he adored his grand-children Luca, Milo, & Niko Guarin Stilson, Laura & Claire Bowtell; brother David (Sandy) Stilson and sister Cheryl (Bill) Codere and many nieces and nephews. Proceeded in death by his parents John and Dorothea Stilson and son Jason John Stilson.

Tributes

John Foster Stilson

November 5, 1953 - February 4, 2022

Tributes

John Foster Stilson

November 5, 1953 - February 4, 2022

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