John W. Gannon, age 77, of Kimball, died peacefully at Quiet Oaks Hospice House in St. Augusta on Feb. 14, 2024, with family at his side.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 22, at the Church of St. Anne in Kimball with Fr. Donald Wagner as Celebrant. Burial will follow at St. Anne Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday and from 10 to 11 a.m. on Thursday, both at the church.
John William Gannon was born on Sept. 7, 1946, in Oakes, North Dakota to Robert and Mary (Irvin) Gannon. His early years were spent in Verona, North Dakota, before the family moved to Kimball in 1951 when John’s father purchased a portion of Farmer’s Elevator. He graduated from Kimball High School in 1964, and then attended vocational school in St. Cloud for business management. On June 6, 1970, he was united in marriage to Bonita “Bonnie” Stadden at St. Mary of the Lake in Plymouth. They made their home in Kimball to raise their family.
John was a proud farmer and business owner, dedicating his career to the agriculture industry. As the co-owner of Gannon Elevator, he played a vital role in supporting local farmers throughout his lifetime. His commitment to excellence and hard work was evident in all that he did.
In addition to his successful business endeavors, John served his community as a member of the Kimball Fire Department for an impressive 38 years, including 20 years as the Fire Chief. His dedication and leadership were instrumental in ensuring the safety and well-being of the community. John also lent his skills and passion to the Kimball Police Department for a couple of years, further demonstrating his commitment to the well being of his fellow citizens. He was a founding member of the Kimball Rescue Squad, always ready to help those in need. John’s passion for community involvement extended to organizing the annual Kimball Fire pancake breakfast.
Outside of his work and community involvement, John found joy in various recreational activities. He had a deep love for nature, spending countless hours fishing, snowmobiling, and camping. Motorcycle rides gave him a sense of freedom and adventure. He also enjoyed the thrill of hunting and the fellowship that came with the hunt.
John is survived by his children, Tami (Jim) Buranen of Maple Lake, Wendy (Ron) Howard of Golden Valley, Jennifer (Robert) Garding of Kimball, and Jeff Gannon of St. Augusta; grandchildren, Brandon Schmidt, Travis (Samantha) Buranen, Xavier Howard, Dylan (Kristen) Garding, and Zachary Garding; great-grandchildren, Ryder and Gavin Schmidt, Rayna and Dalton Garding, and Mia Aurentz; siblings, Patrick (Barbara) of Harvey, North Dakota, Michael (Lollie) of Petaluma, California, Paul (Trish) of St. Joseph; and many nieces, nephews, other family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Mary; stepmother, Louise; wife, Bonnie; great-grandchild, Tyler Schmidt; and a stillborn baby brother.
A special thank you for the tender care provided by the staff at Quiet Oaks Hospice House in St. Augusta who made sure that John’s last moments were as peaceful as possible.
Travis Buranen, Brandon Schmidt, Dylan Garding, and Zachary Garding will serve as urn bearers.
Arrangements entrusted to Dingmann Funeral Care Burial and Cremation Services of Kimball.
The obituary, guestbook, video tribute, and funeral webcast are online at www.dingmannfuneral.com