John “Jack” H. Geddes, 78, of Kendall died Friday, Nov. 3, 2017, at Heritage Manor in Elroy after surviving cancer treatments for two years and recovering from a heart attack for several years.
He was born Aug. 24, 1939, to John T. and Grace (Shell) Geddes in Richland Center. They lived on numerous farms around the Richland Center and Hillsboro area. Jack was a member of the Hillsboro High School graduating class of 1957. He farmed with his dad as well as drove school bus. He took a job at the Hillsboro Co-op to pay the feed bill; this job lasted several years.
In the 1970s, he purchased Jack’s Grocery in Ontario; he ran the business for more than 20 years. During this time, he worked several odd jobs, one being a certified nursing assistant. Working as a CNA at Heritage Manor is where he first met his wife Linda. After he sold the store, he worked at the Necedah Screw Company until his retirement. After his retirement, he worked at the Challenge Academy at Fort McCoy; he thoroughly enjoyed this job.
He liked anything to do with the outdoors, including hunting, fishing, and camping out in the middle of nowhere. He really enjoyed going fishing with his son John and taking yearly hunting and camping trips with his son John and grandchild JT.
Riding bicycles was his passion; he took several trips with his wife, and he also enjoyed riding alone. Among some of his long trips on his bike, he took a 2,000-mile trip to Alaska and another to Maine. He also rode up the Going-to-the-Sun Road without getting off his bike.
If that wasn’t enough to keep him busy, Linda and Jack enjoyed finding dances every week and meeting many wonderful people. He considered himself a tinker, which means a Jack of all Trades but a master of none.
He is survived by his wife, Linda; three sons, John Geddes of La Crosse, Joshua Hendrickson of Kendall and Travis (Rachel) Hendrickson of Black River Falls; a daughter, Christina (Herb) Calhoon of Cashton; a special ex-daughter-in-law, Allison Hendrickson; seven grandchildren, John T. Geddes, Kayelee and Riley Calhoon, Michael Hendrickson, Violet, Travis Jr. and Sydney Hendrickson; two step-grandchildren, Coral and Donovan Calhoon; two sisters, Hope Knight of Black River Falls and Sharon (Jerry) Walker of La Farge; one sister-in-law, Barb (Nick) Dacloush of Dodge Center, Minn.; and a brother-in-law Terry Woolever of Kendall.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Doris Wipperfurth; and an infant brother.
A funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9, at Grace Lutheran Church, 226 Erickson St. Elroy. Pastor James Gerth will officiate. Burial will be at a later date.
Relatives and friends are invited to call Wednesday from 4–8 p.m. at the Smith-Nelson Funeral Home, 112 E. South Railroad St., Kendall, and at the church on Thursday from 1 p.m. until the time of the service. Online condolences may be sent to www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com.
