John 'Jack' Appel

John "Jack" Leland Appel, age 75 of Wabasso, passed away Monday, December 9, 2019. Memorial Service will be held at 11 am on Friday, December 13, 2019, at the Nelson-Hillestad Funeral Home in Redwood Falls, Minnesota. Visitation will be from 10 until 11 am on Friday at the Nelson-Hillestad Funeral Home, with burial in the Bethany Lutheran Cemetery in Wabasso, Minnesota.

John Appel was born on January 26, 1944 near Storden, Minnesota to Leo and Elizabeth (Stodden) Appel. He grew up on the family farm with his brothers and sisters, graduated from Ivanhoe High School and later joined the Navy. After being honorably discharged from the Navy in 1968, John attended SDSU - Brookings and graduated in 1972 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. He worked for several companies including Univac, Telex Communications, B.H. Electronics and Zytec. He was united in marriage to Shirley Lickness on September 3, 1977, in Ruthton, Minnesota, and they were blessed with a son, Dylan in 1990. John and Shirley were later divorced. John was an avid sports fan and could always be found cheering for the Vikings, Twins and Timberwolves. He also enjoyed gardening, fishing, making his own wine, reading, playing cards and challenging anyone to a game of cribbage or chess.

Jack is survived by his son Dylan of Wabasso; brothers, James of Lake Benton, Robert of Lake Benton, Gary (Shelly) of New Franklin, Missouri, and Donald of Cape Coral, Florida; sisters, Grace Odens of Maple Grove, and Marian (Gerry) Carpenter of Dawson; sister in laws, Sheila of Hendricks, Abby of Ivanhoe, and Helen of Holland; and many nieces and nephews.

John is preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Elizabeth Appel and siblings Lois, LaVern, Ray and Leonard.

Blessed be his memory.