Jon L. Gatzke

Jon Gatzke, 71, of Preston, passed away Wednesday, October 9, 2019, at home.

Jon Lewis Gatzke was born May 20, 1948, son of Vernon and Doris Mae (Peterson) Gatzke in Preston, MN.  He was married to Jackie Kruegel and to this union 2 sons, Travis and Brandon were born.  They later divorced.  In 1994, Jon married Elizabeth Walsh and together they had a daughter Gabrielle.  Jon’s greatest passion in life was farming and working with animals.  He loved looking out over his dairy farm and thinking of everything his family had created.  Jon was a man who had a knack for being able to talk to anyone, and enjoyed making people laugh.  Being a natural wood carver, Jon liked surprising people with gifts he would make.  He spent much of his life working with people in recovery from alcoholism, being sober 31 years, he enjoyed helping people turn their life around to live a sober life.  Jon had a love for the Native Americans and their history.  As a young boy he would find Indian arrowheads in his mom’s garden and around the Gatzke farm land.

Survivors include his wife Elizabeth of Preston, MN; 3 children Travis (Tammy) Gatzke of Preston, MN, Brandon Gatzke of Canon Falls, MN, and Gabby (John) Kinneberg of Preston, MN, grandchildren Rylie, Makenna, and Chase Gatzke, and Paisley Kinneberg; a sister Janelle (Doug) Hahn of Preston, MN; a brother Blaine (Michele) Gatzke of Harmony, MN; several nieces and nephews; and his beloved dog Lola.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A funeral service for Jon will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, October 14, 2019, at Christ Lutheran Church, with Pastor Dan Bredberg officiating.  Burial will be in Waukokee Cemetery.  Visitation will be on Sunday, October 13, 2019, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Hindt-Hudek Funeral Home Preston, and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church.

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