Jack "John" Fredric Bureau

Jack Bureau, resident of Blaine, MN and Largo, FL passed away peacefully on August 25, 2022, at the age 88 with his loving family nearby. Jack was a dedicated husband to Ellen Thoren Clement for 22 years; a loving and wonderful father to Angie (Snyder), John, Julie (Sorrem), David, Ann (Larkin), and Theresa (Long); and “Tremendous” grandpa to 20 grandkids and 3 great-grandkids. He is survived by his brother Fred and sister Joan (Oakes).

To him family was important. As the oldest of 5, from Marquette, Michigan, Jack and his siblings enjoyed the outdoors. He would regale family and friends with growing up adventures (especially with one-year younger brother Fred) of swimming and flying down the “super slide” at Presque Isle, hanging around the railroad tracks and racking fish at the fish house near the ore dock, working hard for Grandpa Crowley during the depression and WW2, and then doing construction at K I Sawyer during the summers. He loved to tell all about the massive snowstorms coming off Lake Superior, the ore boats, pasties, living next to the bishop’s house, and his grandma’s cooking.

Jack graduated from Baraga High School in 1952 and joined the Air Force during the Korean War. He was stationed for 3 years in Ramstein, Germany where he developed a voracious love of reading, and learned and practiced discipline, responsibility, and duty.

In 1960 Jack received his Bachelor’s degree in business from Marquette University in Milwaukee, then relocated to St. Paul, Minnesota where he built his own company focused on commercial real estate and establishing strip malls in Minnesota and Wisconsin. This was back in the time when a handshake sealed the deal. ” You can always tell a person’s character by their handshake” he would say. He was an entrepreneur who came up with ideas about everything - - which he rarely changed!

His six children were his pride and joy. Whatever they did he was all in and did his best to share his love of adventure with them. He focused on establishing structure amid chaos - - with his chore rotation job lists and weekly bible studies while coloring. For him it was important that each child be heard. So, he made it a point to take each child on a 30 minute one on one walk so they could talk. He would listen. His kids knew he loved them. After retirement he was always on the phone with a great book to read - - which they could find at Half Price Bookstore!

During his 22 years of marriage with Ellen, they spent the summers in Minnesota, winters in Florida, visiting friends and family around the country, traveling, cruising and much more. Jack truly enjoyed socializing and loved getting to know people, where they were from (it was amazing how many people he met from his hometown Marquette). In addition, he took great pleasure in supporting Ellen’s work with her Heedless Hoarsemen Ranchero Village Male Chorus which presented concerts around Pinellas County. From his time in the Florida room and his book laden office to the deck in Blaine, Minnesota, they truly had a special relationship together -- as long as you didn’t talk politics.

However, what truly defined Jack was his steadfast faith, praise, and trust in the Lord throughout both the good and tough times. He always looked for opportunities to pray and share the Word of the Lord with others. In addition to reading the Bible, Jack loved his daily early morning phone calls with his kids, studying and teaching others about the importance of natural medicine, playing Wizard, the power of the word “tremendous,” and red dots (that he had everywhere to remind him to focus on the Lord).

He touched everyone who knew him and will be greatly missed by his loving family and friends.

Mass of Christian Burial at Historic St. Peters, 1405 Sibley Memorial Highway (Hwy 13) on October 10, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. with a rosary starting at 9:30 a.m. Jack will be laid to rest at the Fort Snelling National Cemetery following the Mass at 11:15 a.m. at assembly area #4. A celebration of life luncheon to follow at Embassy Suites, 7901 34th Ave. S., Bloomington, MN 55425 from noon - 2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please send requested donations to either:

Fisher House Foundation: Online Memorial Gift - Memorial Gifts - Make a Donation (fisherhouse.org) or mail donation to: 12300 Twin Brook Parkway, #410,Rockville, MN 20852-1650.

Twin Cities Honor Flight sponsored by MN Vietnam Veterans Charity, 2674 Mackubin Street, Roseville, MN 55113. Phone: 651.481.8835 Online: Donate (paypal.com)

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.nationalcremation.com/location/richfield for the Bureau family.