John S. Szklarski

John Szklarski, 81, of Moorhead, formerly of Florian, MN, died on Tuesday, January 11, 2022, in Sanford Hospital, Fargo, ND.

John Selverious was born on the feast of the Saint of the same name on June 20, 1940, the son of Anton and Elizabeth (Kroll) Szklarski. He was raised on the family homestead in Augsburg Township, Marshall County, MN. From a young age John was reserved, always listening and taking things in around him. This ability to quietly observe details served him well, as it would later allow him to be self-taught in almost all of his endeavors. After a time in country school, John left to help on the family farm. His mother died on his 21st birthday with his father following her seven years and one day later. He eventually struck off on his own, becoming the lead farm hand for Paul Halfmann. In addition to farming in the summer and grading potatoes in the winter, John problem-solved issues with his own instinctual knowledge of engineering. He and the Halfmann family went into business as H&S Manufacturing. He met success with a cultivator of his own design and later a snowblower, sprayers, and all manner of row crop equipment. After 50 years at H&S, John would finish his career with nearly a decade of working alongside his son, Bill, and son-in-law, Darin, at BIL Mfg.

He met his future wife when he was seventeen, while driving her to a New Years Eve party. The two quickly hit it off, John frequently making the 40-mile drive to Badger, MN. They were married in St. Mary Catholic Church of Badger, on October 11, 1961. The two raised six children, three boys and three girls (in that order). Over those years John busied himself with farming, engineering, welding, and carpentry. When the children were grown, John and Edwardine housed a number of Polish foreign exchange students over the years which helped John brush up on his Polish language skills. He was also able to achieve his lifelong dream of visiting Poland himself- and did so three times!

He was devoted to Assumption Catholic Church his whole life and was confirmed the same day the new building was consecrated. He had a devotion to Our Lady of Czestochowa and loved all things Polish. In 2017, John and Edwardine moved to Moorhead, where John attended St. Joseph Catholic Church every week.

John will be remembered as a quiet, contemplative man of few words: but what words he did speak were worth listening to. Blessed be his memory- Sto lat!

John is survived by his wife of 60 years, Edwardine; sons, Allan (Susan) and James (fiancee Kathy Else) Szklarski both of Grafton, ND, and William (Danielle) Szklarski of Stephen, MN; daughters, Lisa (Darin) Potucek of Vail, AZ, Mary (Jerome) Koble and Karen Szklarski of Fargo, ND; grandchildren, David, Daniel and Douglas Szklarski, Danielle Carver, Amber Woodrow, Kathryn, Robert, Bailey, and Hannah Szklarski, Bethany, Kristina, and Jeffrey Potucek, and Elizabeth Koble; sisters, Mary Ann Deschene of Argyle, MN, and Christine (Thomas) Gerszewski of Warroad, MN; and great-grandchildren, Eva, Owen, Gavin, Landon, Gailion, and Parker.

John was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Frank (Dorothy) Szklarski, Br. Anthony OMI, and Chester (Virginia) Szklarski; grandson, Derek Szklarski; daughter-in-law, Mona; and brother-in-law, Joe Deschene.
 

No flowers are requested: Memorials may be directed to either
the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate,
or the St. Gianna Maternity Home in Warsaw, ND.

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Saturday, January 15, 2022, at 10:00 AM, in Assumption Catholic Church, Florian, MN; Rosary at 9:45 AM.
VISITATION: Friday evening, starting at 5:00 PM, with a 6:15 PM Rosary, and 6:30 PM Prayer Service; and one hour prior to Mass.
INTERMENT: Assumption Catholic Cemetery, Florian, MN.