John Charles Mason

John Charles Mason was born in St. Paul, MN on June 3rd, 1939 to Dwight and Lorraine Mason. He died on December 6th, 2018 at Fairview Lakes Medical Center in Wyoming, MN surrounded by the family he loved as they sang and shared sweet memories. He was 79 years old.

John grew up in the metro area and graduated from White Bear High School in 1957. Shortly after graduation, he met the love of his life, Judy Wilcox.

John and Judy were married on April 11th, 1959. Their first home was a basement apartment in the old North Branch hotel. After working at Branch Manufacturing for a short time, John began his career at the US Postal Service in St. Paul. The couple moved to the cities where they lived in several different homes.

They had their first child, Carol, in 1960. Their second daughter, Karen, was born in 1961. Their family was complete when their son, John Jr., was born in 1964.

The family moved to Harris later that same year and in 1965, they moved to North Branch where they lived until 1995. John enjoyed bowling, hunting, and traveling. He took his family on many vacations all around the country and continued this tradition with his grandchildren – taking them on many trips over the years. John was an avid golfer and golfed on the same golf team for 40 years.

John took an early retirement from the Post Office in 1991 at the age of 52. He had a passion for fishing and in 1995, John and Judy bought a house on Rush Lake where he could fish as often as he liked, whether it was off the dock, on his pontoon, or on the ice.

One of his greatest joys in life was when he became a great-grandpa. Nothing gave him more pleasure than when they would visit and he could listen to their songs and stories.

John will be remembered as a very generous man who would do anything for anyone at any time.

John is survived by his wife of 59 years Judy Mason of Rush City; daughters Carol (Don) Ramberg of Rock Creek and Karen (Mike) Knolls of Delano; grandchildren Lisa (Steve) Ulbrich of Winona, Matthew Ramberg of Columbia Heights, Jennifer Knolls of Cokato, Shane (Lyndsay) Knolls of Savage, Brandon (Dana) Mason of Maplewood, and Sara Mason of Luverne; great-grandchildren Kylie, Kelsey, Sam, and Lacey Ulbrich, Delilah Hartz, Mason and Emily Knolls, Karah Mason, Damion Mason, Cylus and Lucas Nieman; sister Mary (Jerry) Garner; brother-in-law Mick Auger; nieces and nephews. John also leaves behind his beloved dog, Charlie.

He is preceded in death by his parents; sister Laurie; and son John.

A service of remembrance for John is planned for 4 PM; Saturday, December 15, 2018 with a gathering of family and friends to be held from 2 - 5 PM all at the Olson Funeral Chapel of Rush City.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the:
Funeral And Cremation Service of Rush City ~ Olson Chapel www.FuneralAndCremationService.com