Jack Marsden

John "Jack" F. Marsden, 95, of Waukon, IA, died Saturday, November 21, 2020, at Gundersen Medical Center in La Crosse, WI. A private graveside service with military honors will be held at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Waukon with Fr. John Moser officiating. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements. Cards for the family can be mailed to Annette Marsden at 409 Washington Street, Decorah, IA 52101. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Veterans Memorial Hospital or St. Patrick Catholic Church, both in Waukon. The family regrets that they are not able to celebrate Jack's life together and share stories with everyone in this time of COVID. However, the graveside service will be live streamed on Martin-Grau Funeral Home's facebook page on Monday, November 23rd, at 11:00 AM.

John Francis Marsden was born November 1, 1925, in Waukon, IA. He was one year old when his parents, James Matthew Marsden and Net Riley Marsden, purchased and moved to the farm where he would spend most of his life. He grew up surrounded by a lively extended family, with close cousins and his role model Uncle Art, a humble and gentle man. His best buddy growing up was his younger brother Mike. Although they fought constantly, they were always together and never stayed mad. Maybe that is where Jack developed the courage to admit to a mistake and the foundation to form lasting friendships.

Jack went to the Elk one-room schoolhouse and upon graduating from Waukon High School, farmed with his parents. After his brother Robert returned from WWII, they worked the farm together with Bob's wife Shirley. After an uninspiring stint in a Cedar Rapids factory, Jack enlisted in the Army near the end of the Korean War and became a railway engineer. Besides the realities of war, he liked driving trains and was able to travel to Japan, hustling pool wherever he went. He considered work as an engineer after coming home, but those were competitive jobs. His distaste for war reinforced his belief in peace. In his 30s, Jack farmed, managed the Wigwam (pool hall), and met Phyllis. After a courtship full of dancing, Phyllis proposed. He replied that he would marry her, "but don't rush me". They married in 1960, making a life on the farm.

Jack was a gentleman and hard worker, even getting up to start and clean off his wife's car every cold, snowy morning before she headed to the bus barn. His hobbies were dancing, playing cards, attending local sports, storytelling, and playing competitive pool. Jack and his wife were members of St. Patrick Catholic Church, where they volunteered at the youth center after their kids left home, enjoying community with the youth. Later, he took up golfing and going to coffee in town. He loved the beauty of his land and farming, living the life he wanted without regret.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents Jim and Net Marsden; his wife Phyllis (1935-1995); and his siblings: Robert (Shirley), Mary (Pat) O'Malley, Mike (LaVonne), and Betty Ernst. He is survived by his five children: Debra Van Meer, Jackie (Jim) Neidhart, Mike (Julie Hampton), Annette, and Joel (Carmen Germes); his grandchildren: Patrick (Michelle), John (Ashley), Paige, Eliza, Jack, Andrew, Anna, Benjamin, and Samuel; eight great-grandchildren; nieces; nephews; and special friend and dancing partner Lucille Hansen.