John A. Stolski

Jack Stolski succumbed to his illness that he battled for over a year and passed away on March 13th, 2025. He was surround by loved ones and his dedicated wife, Trudie, at the time he left to go to heaven. Jack was born on July 11, 1942 in Minneapolis to John and Lois Stolski. He was an amazing athlete at a young age along with his older brother Ron. They grew up in a household that loved boxing, football, baseball, basketball, hunting, fishing and pretty much anything to keep them busy. His family lived in North and later on North East Minneapolis. As, he put it “we owned the streets.” He graduated from Patrick Henry High School in 1960 and played football, basketball, and baseball. He also was a boxer throughout his childhood and teenage years. He excelled in baseball as a pitcher and was a switch hitter. His skills in pitching got the attention of some professional coaches but an injury to his rotator cuff ended that potential opportunity. Later on, he received an athletic scholarship for both football and baseball and graduated from Macalester College in St. Paul. He majored in English and minored in Education and went into teaching and coaching after college. After graduation, Jack traveled to Kensington, MN to become a teacher and the head football and basketball coach. He taught English and Physical Education. During his tenure as football coach the team won the 8-man conference championship in the surrounding communities. The basketball team also did extremely well. Jack loved to bow hunt and had multiple hunting trips to Colorado with a group of friends. Hunting in the mountains he harvested two mule deer which made the Pope and Young record books. He also roamed the farms and ridges in Kensington and had successful hunts for deer, duck and goose. He developed relationships with many people who would become lifelong friends. He met Trudie Brandt while skiing in Wisconsin, and they were later married and started a family while he taught at Anoka High School. Sean and Laura were born and both Jack and Trudie were busy with their new family. Jack left teaching to pursue his interest in becoming a stock broker. And after that he became an entrepreneur. Jack and Trudie decided to move the family to Alexandria where they built a home on Lake Victoria. The family had multiple horses on that property as well as over 30 horses on another located on Lobster Lake. They raised and sold horses and also had multiple businesses. Matt was born a few years after the move, and fishing was the favorite pastime with Jack and the family. During that time Jack enjoyed fantastic duck and goose hunting opportunities on their private ponds. He would bring clients and relatives to enjoy a trip into the outdoors. He purchased a fantastic hunting dog named “Toma” that he loved to show off. He would bring Sean duck and deer hunting making it a family tradition of going deer hunting every season. Jack and Trudie both loved the outdoors. Both parents taught Sean, Laura, and young Matt how to fish, shoot firearms and bows, ride horses, swim and of course sports. The family had the opportunity of taking multiple trips to the Lake McFarland on the Arrowhead Trail enjoying exploring, fishing, hunting, and visiting relatives at the Brandt’s family resort, Wilderness Retreat. After numerous great years and fond memories in Alexandria, Jack and Trudie decided to move the family to the Twin Cities metro to be closer to their parents and for more time for family. Jack and Trudie traveled throughout the U.S. together both on business and vacations, bringing the children on vacation when time allowed. Over the years Jack and Trudie had a lot of fun adventures. For 57 years Jack and Trudie were devoted to one another with true love. As Dad put it “we did a lot of stuff together.” Dad always wrote personal cards for Mom’s birthday and got her roses and flowers. Dad loved roses. After the death of his parents, Jack and the family would visit their gravesite several times a year, and always at a minimum on Memorial Day and The Fourth Of July. July 4th was grandpa John’s birthday, so a flag was added to the site on both holidays because of his veteran status. Grandma would get flowers instead. Dad wanted his family to remember their ancestors. Jack loved to do many things and always stayed busy. Having two hip surgeries and knee problems did not stop him from doing the things he loved. He was always gardening, cooking, growing roses, fishing, deer hunting every year, walking, and spending time with his miniature poodle “Buddy” and Laura’s poodle “Rocky.” Although he had a serious illness that limited his mobility, he continued to walk as much as possible. He stayed positive. He was determined to be around with his family and his wife that he adored for as long as possible. His toughness both physically and mentally was hard to explain. Dad always taught us “never give up.” He literally lived by those words and was able to go one last time deer hunting last season with his sons in 2024. Dedication to one another was shown daily as Trudie drove Jack to dialysis and doctor appointments multiple times per week since his diagnosis. The family did whatever they could for him until the very end. He loved watching movies and TV shows with Trudie and the family, especially old Westerns. He kept his sense of humor, his intellectual mind, and love for his family all the way. Jack was known as being tough as nails. He gave tough love, had a big heart, wonderful sense of humor, great work ethic, love for his wife, and would do anything for the family he loved. He will be missed every day. For those who knew him we know you will as well. He is preceded in death by his parents John and Lois (Peterson) Stolski. He is survived by his wife of 57 years Trudie (Brandt) Stolski, son Sean Stolski, daughter Laura Stolski, son Matt and (Saraline) Stolski, grandson Breyden, brother Ron Stolski (Sharon) Stolski, many nieces and nephews and far too many friends to mention. Celebration of life will be held at: Washburn-McReavy "Seman Chapel" 1827 Coon Rapids Blvd. Coon Rapids, MN 55433 Saturday April 12, 2025 at 2pm with 1 hour visitation prior to the service Send off dinner at: 4:30 pm (Please join us!) Coon Rapids VFW Post 9625 1919 Coon Rapids Blvd N.W. Coon Rapids MN 55433 www.Washburn-McReavy.com Coon Rapids Chapel 763-767-1000 1827 Coon Rapids Blvd

Tributes

John A. Stolski

July 11, 1942 - March 13, 2025

Tributes

John A. Stolski

July 11, 1942 - March 13, 2025

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