John F. (Jack) Desautel, age 96, passed away on Monday June 17, 2024, at the Unity Hospital in Grafton, ND.
Jack was born on February 21, 1928, on the family farm in rural Grafton, ND, to William and Minnie (Brosius) Desautel. He grew up and attended schools in Grafton, graduating in 1946 from Grafton High School. He continued to farm after high school until he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1950.
He was united in marriage to Rae Meier on December 7, 1950 – the same day he got his draft notice. They made their home in Anchorage, Alaska, where he was stationed for two years. After discharge, they came back to Grafton where they lived until their deaths. Jack farmed for 70 years, retiring in 1993. However, a farmer never retires so he continued to help out on the family farm part time.
Jack served with numerous organizations in his community including being a member on the Board of Directors of the Red River Valley Sugar Beet Growers Association for 25 plus years; Chamber of Commerce; Rural Fire Department; St. John’s Parish Council and Cemetery Board; and the VFW. Jack was very active until his death with the Grafton American Legion. He very seldom missed attending a funeral where he was asked to be an honor guard.
Jack is survived by his daughter Zebbie Hoenke, Grafton, ND; son Jay (Jan) Desautel, Moorhead, MN; daughter-in-law Kelly; grandchildren Christopher (Jennifer) Hoenke, David (Jaime) Hoenke, Nicholas (Amanda) Desautel, Katelyn (Charlie) Thompson all of Grafton, ND, Brandon (Courtney) Desautel, Glyndon, MN, Parker (fiancee Lex Bradley) Desautel, Minneapolis, MN; great grandchildren Laith & Izley Hoenke, Brayden, Harlow & Brynn Hoenke, Annie & Jack Desautel all of Grafton, ND, and Hadleigh Desautel, Glyndon, MN.
He is preceded in death by his wife; infant child; parents; brothers William and Robert; sisters-in-law, Delores and Dee; son John; and son-in-law Kevin Hoenke.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, June 24, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at St. John’s Catholic Church, Grafton, ND, with a visitation from10:00 to 11:00 a.m. prior to the service. Military rites will be provided by the Grafton American Legion Post #41 and the North Dakota National Guard Honor Guard. Interment will be at the St. John’s Catholic Cemetery.
Jack was born on February 21, 1928, on the family farm in rural Grafton, ND, to William and Minnie (Brosius) Desautel. He grew up and attended schools in Grafton, graduating in 1946 from Grafton High School. He continued to farm after high school until he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1950.
He was united in marriage to Rae Meier on December 7, 1950 – the same day he got his draft notice. They made their home in Anchorage, Alaska, where he was stationed for two years. After discharge, they came back to Grafton where they lived until their deaths. Jack farmed for 70 years, retiring in 1993. However, a farmer never retires so he continued to help out on the family farm part time.
Jack served with numerous organizations in his community including being a member on the Board of Directors of the Red River Valley Sugar Beet Growers Association for 25 plus years; Chamber of Commerce; Rural Fire Department; St. John’s Parish Council and Cemetery Board; and the VFW. Jack was very active until his death with the Grafton American Legion. He very seldom missed attending a funeral where he was asked to be an honor guard.
Jack is survived by his daughter Zebbie Hoenke, Grafton, ND; son Jay (Jan) Desautel, Moorhead, MN; daughter-in-law Kelly; grandchildren Christopher (Jennifer) Hoenke, David (Jaime) Hoenke, Nicholas (Amanda) Desautel, Katelyn (Charlie) Thompson all of Grafton, ND, Brandon (Courtney) Desautel, Glyndon, MN, Parker (fiancee Lex Bradley) Desautel, Minneapolis, MN; great grandchildren Laith & Izley Hoenke, Brayden, Harlow & Brynn Hoenke, Annie & Jack Desautel all of Grafton, ND, and Hadleigh Desautel, Glyndon, MN.
He is preceded in death by his wife; infant child; parents; brothers William and Robert; sisters-in-law, Delores and Dee; son John; and son-in-law Kevin Hoenke.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, June 24, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at St. John’s Catholic Church, Grafton, ND, with a visitation from10:00 to 11:00 a.m. prior to the service. Military rites will be provided by the Grafton American Legion Post #41 and the North Dakota National Guard Honor Guard. Interment will be at the St. John’s Catholic Cemetery.