John "Jack" Lakers was born on February 7, 1935, to Ed and Hilda (Martens) Lakers on a farm near Manilla, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Patrick�s Catholic Church in Audubon, Iowa. He attended high school in Manilla and graduated with the Class of 1953.
Jack was married to Jan Hodne on April 6, 1956 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Manning, Iowa. Two sons were born to this union: Tim and Mark. Jack and Jan celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary in 2006 with their family.
Jack worked many years in the agriculture feed business. Most recently he had worked with the Dedham Co-op. Jack has been a member of St. Michael�s Catholic Church in Harlan, Iowa, since 1968.
He died on Wednesday, January 14, 2009, having attained the age of seventy-three years, eleven months, and seven days. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Hilda Lakers, and his brother Edward.
Jack is survived by his wife Jan Lakers of Irwin, Iowa, his sons: Tim Lakers and his wife Tami of Urbandale, Iowa and Mark Lakers and his wife Jackie of Omaha, Nebraska; five grandchildren: Ryan, Andy, David, Michael, and Nathan Lakers; three great-grandchildren; four sisters: Katie and her husband Jack Milligan of Las Vegas, Nevada, Marilyn Jacobsen of Manilla, Iowa, Linda Stoen of Fargo, North Dakota, and Janice Lakers of Kalamazoo, Michigan; nieces and nephews, other family members, and many friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Monday, January 19, 2009 with Rev. Bob Hoefler celebrating the 10:30 service at St. Michael�s Catholic Church in Harlan, Iowa. Honorary casket bearers were Jack Milligan, Nate Hodne, Ryan Lakers, Andy Lakers, David Lakers, Michael Lakers, Nathan Lakers, Dave Jacobsen, and Dan Jacobsen. Serving as casket bearers were Steve Gawley, Sylvan Klein, Ron Hodne, Bret Hodne, Scott Hodne, and Eugene Monson. Interment was held at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Irwin, Iowa.
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