John Wessendorf

John Wayne Wessendorf of rural Oronoco, MN passed away unexpectedly from a cardiovascular event on Wednesday, June 14, 2023 at the age of 73. John has been cremated and private family / neighborhood remembrances will take place at a later time. John, the youngest of six children, was born in Storm Lake, IA on Halloween, October 31, 1949, to George and Ruth (Morgan) Wessendorf. John grew up on the family farm near Nemaha, IA, where he learned to work with hands, including farm labor, auto mechanics, and fixing just about anything. He graduated high school from Crestland Community School in Early, IA. Throughout his working career, John held jobs in many different trades, including jobs raising animals and doing other farm work, working in meat packing plants, driving semi trucks (cross country and local), building cabinets, and building business computers. Although his skills were varied, they all included working with his hands in some capacity. John lived in western IA until his trucking career in IA ended in 1995 when he moved to MN; first to Zumbrota and then later to Oronoco in 2005. When John left his job at International Business Machines(IBM) in 2009, his new job in retirement became taking care of the house, pets, and his partner, Cathi Timmerman. Several years he sold antiques and flea market items at Oronoco Gold Rush. John was a problem solver who often thought of solutions others may never have considered and enjoyed helping people. He didn't accept the status quo if he could see a better way to do something. He was known for his love of Pabst Blue Ribbon beer and was rarely seen without a baseball cap from some business or place he had visited. Despite his sometimes rough exterior and language, John was a romantic at heart and loved a happy ending. He enjoyed watching Hallmark movies as much as old westerns. He and Cathi took many road trips across the country to see family or tourist attractions and enjoyed several cruises. John married twice and fathered four children. John is survived by his long-term partner, Cathi Timmerman, of rural Oronoco; his children Heather (Wessendorf) DeLaRoi and Jason Wessendorf and their families of Verdigre, NE; as well as sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, grands, extended family members, friends, and neighbors who will all miss him. John was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers; two sisters; his first wife, Becky and their two young children John and James.