Obituary for John Adolf Gjernes
John Adolf Gjernes was born December 11, 1934 in Oklee, Minnesota, to Adolph and Pauline Letnes Gjernes. He passed away on November 28, 2020, due to COVID related pneumonia. John was the beloved husband of Lois Margaret (Marge) for 57 years. Loving father of Larry (Polly), Daniel (Carol), Terese (Brenton) and the late John Allen. Proud grandfather of Ashley, Alyssa, Christian, Teresa, Thomas, John-Paul, Gabriel, Jacob, the late Danny, Joey, Andrew, Teo and Tessa. Dear brother of the late Al Gjernes and Marge (Richard) Richards. John is loved and will be greatly missed by family and friends.
John was of Norwegian heritage. He was raised on a farm in Oklee and was a member of the Boy Scouts. He graduated from Oklee High School, where he played on the football, basketball and baseball teams. John attended Bemidji State University, where he was captain of the wrestling team and received his B.S. degree. He taught science and physical education and was the football coach at Mentor, MN for 2 years. He then attended the University of Minnesota, where he achieved his M.A. degree, with his master’s thesis focused on physical education. John was in the Minnesota National Guard and worked for the forestry service as a young adult.
John moved to Germany in 1961 to teach in an American army dependents school. There he met Lois Margaret (Marge) Guest, whom he married in 1962. They lived in Germany several more years, where their oldest 3 children were born.
John and Marge returned to the U.S. in 1965 and lived in Livonia, Michigan. John taught science and physical education at Lowell and Whitman Jr. High Schools and coached the school football, basketball and wrestling teams. He also coached track for St. Michael’s grade school while his children were on the team. He retired from teaching in the 80’s, worked for the auto industry and later became a realtor, teaming up with his wife, Marge, and son, John.
John was a lifelong avid sports fan. He bowled and played softball throughout his adulthood. He later became an avid golfer, holding 7 Senior flight titles at Whispering Willows and hitting several holes-in-one! (first @ age 63, using a 4 iron from 159 yards.) After retirement, he served as a ranger for the Whispering Willows golf course. He loved to watch baseball and football and was a lifelong Minnesota Vikings fan. He also square danced and took part in the Silver Liners singing group with his wife, Marge. He was a member of the St. Aidan Men’s Club, also serving as a church usher.
During his life, John loved traveling. While working in Germany, he traveled throughout Norway, Italy, Germany, and France. He skied and enjoyed photography, later developing his own photos in his home dark room. Later he enjoyed traveling around the U.S., frequently visiting Florida (for part of the winter), Hilton Head Island, SC, and Arizona. John also enjoyed wood carving.
John will be remembered for his kindness, gentle spirit, generosity, good humor and love of friends and family.
His memorial will be held on Saturday, July 31 at St. Aidan's Church in Livonia Michigan. The memorial will be live streamed at 8:30am CT/9:30am ET here: https://www.saintaidanlivonia.org/blog