Jon Dennis Nylander

Jon Dennis Nylander died peacefully on June 20, 2016 in Centennial, CO with his wife and best friend of 20 years Barbara Capel Nylander at his side. Jon was born in Duluth, Minnesota on December 4, 1940 to Lyman and Alice (Holm) Nylander. Jon was raised in Duluth and graduated from Duluth Denfeld in 1959. He attended the University of Minnesota Duluth and served in the Air Force Reserve. Jon began his career in telecommunications joining Northwestern Bell Telephone in Duluth in 1966. Jon retired from Quest Communications in Denver in 1999 after 33 years of service in the various transitions the company made over the years. He served in various capacities mainly as a Planning Engineer. In 1994 Jon was relocated to Denver from Duluth as a result of Qwest relocating the engineering operations. After retirement in 1999 he and Barb travelled including trips overseas, explored the west and southwest, spent time with family and friends and enjoyed gourmet cooking. In 2007 being bored with retirement Jon accepted an offer to do contract engineering for Century Link. This contract allowed them to travel and work in year long periods first in Albuquerque, NM then Salt Lake City, UT before returning to their home in Castle Rock, Co where Jon continued to work through 2013.

During World War II, while his father served in the Navy, Jon, his mother Alice and brother Fred lived with Alice’s parents on a small dairy farm near Twig, MN. As an older youth he spent much time helping on the farm alongside his cousin Dan Holm and throughout his life retained a fondness for that rural lifestyle often sharing stories of the hard work and good times on the farm.

In 1963 Jon married Judie Rud in Duluth. They had three children Lurinda (Lori), Lynn and Dennis. Jon and Judie divorced in1995. While living in Duluth Jon served on the Downtown Duluth Planning Commission, was a board member of the Minnesota Blood Bank and was a member of Glen Avon Presbyterian Church. Jon was also a member of the Duluth Kennel Club serving in various positions. Jon was an active Mason, joining Glen Avon Masonic Lodge #306 in 1972. He was a member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Duluth Orient of Minnesota attaining the 32th degree. He was honored with the awarding of the 33rd degree for service to the Scottish Rite. He was also an active member of Aad Shrine Center serving on the Directors Staff. When moving to Colorado he affiliated with El Jebel Shrine Center and became a member of Douglas Lodge #153 in Castle Rock, Co.

In 1996 Jon and Barb were married in Denver, CO.

Jon was preceded in death by his parents.

Jon is survived by his wife Barb, Castle Rock, CO; children of previous marriage daughters Lurinda (Lori) Davis (Gary) Duluth, MN; Lynn Taatjes-Nylander (Rick) Walker, MN; son Dennis Nylander (Amanda) St. Peter, MN; brother Fred Nylander (Betty) Proctor, MN; step daughter Charla Nicholas (Bart) of Texas and five grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday July 30, 2016 at 2 PM at the Masonic Center in Duluth on Second Street and Lake Avenue. Cremation was arranged through the Olinger Andrew Mortuary in Castle Rock, CO.