John "Jack" Grabarkewitz

John Jack Grabarkewitz, age 83, a resident of Pelican Rapids, Minnesota, died on Tuesday, April 14, 2009, at his farm near Prairie Lake, Pelican Rapids, Minnesota.Jack was born April 6, 1926, in Bordulac, North Dakota, the son of Walter and Carol (Hagen) Grabarkewitz.In 1938, the family moved to a farm between Elizabeth and Erhard, Minnesota.In 1944, Jack graduated from Pelican Rapids High School.He joined the U.S. Army in 1944 and served in the European Theater during 1945 with the Rainbow Division until the end of WWII.Jack was one of only three in one thousand who received the classification of Expert Marksman.He was honorably discharged in 1946 at the rank of Sergeant 1st Class.Upon returning home, he worked on the family farm.He met Alice Elaine Schulz while she was teaching in the area; they were married on July 11, 1954 at Zion Lutheran Church near Sebeka, Minnesota.They were married for over 53 years, Alice passed away in 2008.Jack and Alice lived for a time on the farm until moving to Pelican Rapids in 1955 where he began his employment with Lake Region Electrical CO-OP.In 1995, he retired after 40 years of service with Lake Region.Jack became a Life Member of V.F.W. Post 5252 in Pelican Rapids in 1968.He was commander in 1971 and had been the Post Chaplain since 1972.Jack was also an active member of the V.F.W. Color Guard.Jack had also taught Fire Arms Safety courses in Pelican Rapids for over 30 years.Jack enjoyed hunting, fishing, and gardening through out his life.In his later years, he especially enjoyed the company of his two grandchildren Ian and Alana Grabarkewitz.Jack is survived by his two children: son, Martin Marty (Sonia) Grabarkewitz, Fargo, ND and daughter, Merridee (Paul) Stein, Vienna, Austria; two grandchildren:Ian and Alana Grabarkewitz; two brothers:Charles (Marlys) Grabarkewitz, Pelican Rapids, MN and Richard (Kay) Grabarkewitz, Grand Rapids, MN; one sister, Karen (Harold) Osten, Pelican Rapids, MN; and numerous nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Carol; and wife, Alice.Blessed Be The Memory Of Jack Grabarkewitz