John Louis Laak

John (“Jack”) Louis Laak passed away peacefully on June 10 in Sun Lakes, Arizona, at the age of 91. He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Patricia (“Pat”) Laak; sons Michael (Linda) Laak, Steven (Valerie) Laak, Daniel (Kim) Laak, and Robert (Linda) Laak; grandchildren Emily (Kendall) Grady, Katherine Laak, Tyler Laak, Justin Laak, Amy (Warren) Ginsberg, and Allison (Alex) Pavone; five great grandchildren; sisters June Gasper and Shirley Green; and many nephews and nieces. He is preceded in death by his parents William and Veronica Laak, brothers William Laak and Thomas Laak, and a sister JoAnn Engstrom. Jack was born on September 2, 1934, and grew up in Winona, Minnesota where he married his high school sweetheart. In retirement they began living part of the year in Sun Lakes, Arizona, until moving there permanently in 2019.

Jack began his printing career at Technigraph before moving to St Mary’s Press in 1968. He retired from there after 28 years as Plant Manager. In retirement he ran his own bindery business for many years. Jack was a devoted family man, hard worker, skilled woodworker and accomplished inventor. He created an automated page collator used in binding books at St. Mary’s Press reducing production time and costs.

Jack was very proud of his volunteer activities for the Winona community. He was a past member of the Kiwanis Sunrisers and served on the board of directors for Winona ORC. At WORC he developed a machine to secure pins to the back of buttons providing employment to people with disabilities. He gave generously of his time and talents to family, friends and those in need.

Jack loved to play golf with his friends in Winona and Arizona, fishing in the Minnesota north woods, building things in his wood shop, and having a cold beer. He also enjoyed the many years he was on bowling teams and helping out at Westgate Bowl.

Jack was loved by all whose lives he touched and will be greatly missed. He was a man of faith in God and lifelong member of St. Mary’s Parish in Winona. A Catholic Mass of Christian burial for Jack will be held at a future time. He will be interred in Woodlawn Cemetery in Winona. Memorials in memory of Jack may be directed to the Christian Brothers of the Midwest at 7650 S. County Line Road, Burr Ridge, Illinois, 60527 or at www.cbmidwest.org/giving.