Jack Gillette

Jack, the fourth of five sons, was born on April 24, 1919 to Harvey and Mary (Sorenson) Gillette at their home on the Pine Brook Farm in the town of Crystal. He attended the Anah School until the age of 14. Then he traveled to Iowa to look for work on a farm. He returned to home at the age of 16 and went into the CCC working out of the Gordon area. He enrolled in the Army in October of 1942 and served with the 383rd Infantry 96th Division. He served in Levte, the Philippines, and Okinawa. Jack was discharged from the Army in January, 1945 with the rank of Staff Sergeant. He returned to Pine Brook Farm where lived the remainder of his life. As a young man, Jack worked with various carpenters, constructing and remodeling homes and businesses in Spooner and the surrounding area. He ran the farm with his brother, Harvey.

Jack is survived by 8 nieces, Norma (Glen) Henderson of Kalispel, MT, Pat (Mike Blair) Gillette of Madison, I, Judie (Dewey) Jacobs of Cable, WI, Nancy (Joe) Benavides of Spooner, WI, Georgia (Wayne) Suoja of Tower, MN, Cathy Shelko of Naperville, IL, Susan (Scott) Hamm of Cadott, WI, and Peggy (Shawn) Garvey of Oregon, WI; 4 nephews, Glen (Maxine) of Michigan, Mike (Arlene) of Citrus Heights, CA, James of Stone Lake, WI, and Jerry (Bonni) of St. Charles, IL; and many great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, George, Bert, Art, and Harvey. Jack had a great love for his family and brought much joy and laughter to all. He will be missed by all.