John Distad

John Walter Distad was born January 21, 1937, in Hayfield, Minnesota, to Clifford and Evelyn (Baumann) Distad.  He was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church and attended Hayfield schools.  At age 17, he moved with his family to Clinton, Wisconsin, and graduated from Clinton High School in 1955.  After his education he joined the US Navy and served until 1959.  Following his honorable discharge, he settled in Northfield and worked at the Northfield Foundry.  On March 9, 1963, he married Lorraine Truair in Northfield.  In 1971, John went to work for Malt-O-Meal.  Lorraine passed away on July 19, 1984.  John married Mary Pratt on January 16, 1988, at St. John’s Lutheran.  He retired from Malt-O-Meal in 1999. 

John was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church.  He was a life member of the Northfield VFW and American Legion, and served for a number of years on the Northfield Fire Department.  He enjoyed fishing and auto racing. John also enjoyed sports and was always involved with his boys and their endeavors.  He was warm hearted, easy going, helpful, generous, strong willed and always willing to help a friend.  His family was of greatest importance to him.  He will be missed.   

Survivors include his wife, Mary; 2 sons and their wives: Jeffrey and Michelle of Albert Lea, Guy and Sarah of Valencia, California; one step-son and his wife, Andy and Erin Pratt of St. Paul; his grandsons: Tyler, Hunter and Dalton Distad, Luke and Erik Distad, Henry Pratt;  his brother and sister-in-law, David and Karen Distad of Danville, Virginia; 3 sisters: Jan Moore of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Mary and husband Gene Trom of Blooming Prairie, Judith Perala of Spokane, Washington; 2 brothers-in-law: David Skaar of Apple Valley, Dale Chambers of Randolph;  many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his first wife and his parents.

John passed away Friday morning, August 21, 2009, at his home in Northfield, at the age of 72.

Services will be 2:00 P.M. Saturday, August 29, 2009, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Northfield with Rev. Mark Johnson officiating.  A reception will follow.  Interment with military honors will be in Lakeside Cemetery, Randolph.  Visitation will be at the church one hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the donor’s choice.

Arrangements are with the Benson & Langehough Funeral Home.