John Hedlund

Don't grieve for me, for I've received God's ultimate healing. If my leaving has left a void, then fill it with remembered joy. My life's been full. I've enjoyed many good friends, good times and many years with Dee, my loved one.

Jack, born August 29, 1926, had a wonderful childhood. . . playing all the usual games with neighborhood friends, baseball, football, hide and seek, hick the can and hockey. When 11 years old he joined the Boy Scouts.
That was an experience of learning, discipline and fun. He carried papers morning, evening and Sunday for over two years. Having learned to march in Scouts, he got along fine at Navy boot camp. He had enlisted in November 1943.
He served on an aircraft carrier in WW2 "cruising in the Pacific". His ship put into a Japanese harbor five days before VJ day, stayed overnight, then went out to sea, joining a very large convoy of ships that entered Tokyo Bay the morning of VJ day.

From his earliest memories, Jack went to Sunday School and Church. It was at Christian Endeavor he met Dee, after being discharged from the Navy. They dated a short time when Jack proposed. Dee was 16 years old. They married December 28, 1948 when she was 18.
The following April, they moved to Hot Springs, SD where jack had accepted a job surveying for the Bureau of Reclamation, on the Angostura Dam project. Sometime later, the City Engineer of Hot Springs wanted to become a consulting engineer and asked Jack to join him.
His brother already had an Engineering office inn Spearfish, SD, so they moved there forming a group of five. Those years gave another opportunity to learn, even learning to fly small planes. Their sons, Jay and Lyle were born during those years.

In January 1955, Jack & Dee moved to Bloomington, MN where Jack began working for the Soo Line Railroad in the Engineering Dept. Their daughter, Janet was born May 16, 1965, 11 years after Lyle. They lived in their home over 40 years. It was at that time they decided to move into
Go Ye Village of Tahlequah, OK. They joined the 1st Baptist Church and volunteered within the Village and Church. Life for them was wonderful with so many Christian friends to visit with and activities to participate in. God is so good!

Jack was preceded in death by Dee, his beloved wife of 64 years; by his parents, Arthur & Hazel, and his sister, Margaret Nordquist.

He is survived by his children, Jay, Lyle & wife Mei; Janet Johnson; his three grandchildren, Christopher & wife Natasha, Krystal and Melinda Hedlund; 3 great grandchildren, as well as nieces, Joan, Connie & Nancy.

Visitation

Go Ye Village
Tahlequah, OK  74464
Monday, July 25, 2016
10:00 am

Service

Funeral Service

Go Ye Village
Tahlequah, OK  74464
Monday, July 25, 2016
11:00 am

Cemetery

Ft. Gibson National Cemetery
Ft. Gibson, OK  74434

Memorial Contributions

American Diabetes Foundation