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John W. Alquist

John W. Alquist

QUINNESEC — John W. Alquist, 84, of Quinnesec, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, at Dickinson County Healthcare System. John was born on March 15, 1933, in Iron Mountain, son of the late Walter and Delphine (Labre) Alquist. He was a lifelong resident of Quinnesec and most recently lived with his wife Patricia in his childhood home.

John went to grade school in Quinnesec and graduated from Kingsford High School in 1951. While in high school, he was a member of the student council and played football for 4 years. After graduating, he went on to study mechanical engineering at Michigan Technological University. John also served in the United States Army during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in 1956.

Following his military service, John went to work for Lakeshore Inc. He was employed there for 37 years and retired as a senior project engineer.

John married the love of his life, Patricia Neuens March 27, 1979, in Escanaba. He and Patricia enjoyed traveling and visited Arizona, Las Vegas, Ohio, South Dakota and Colorado. They also traveled to London, England.

John was a member of American Martyrs Church in Kingsford. He grew up attending St. Marys Church in Quinnesec and served as an alter boy and later on the parish council. He was extremely active in many community and civic organizations, including: Boy Scout Troop 524 of Quinnesec and the Breitung Township Fire Department. John was a member of the U.S. 2 Bypass Committee, the township planning commission and served as chairman of the Breen Senior Center Council for many years. He headed the Quinnesec Centennial Book Committee for the centennial in 1976, and in 1996, wrote the last 20 years and republished the Centennial Book. John was past treasurer of the Dickinson County Genealogical Society and was its president for 14 years. In 2006, he received a lifetime achievement award for his service. He traveled to Bay City, Mich., to receive the State History Award for distinguished service from the Historical Society of Michigan. Besides volunteering, John’s hobbies included doing things with family, history and genealogy. John gathered many old pictures of the Quinnesec area and designed the display that is located at Fumee Falls. He also helped design the memorial to the Quinnesec School located at the Quinnesec Township Hall.

John is survived by his wife, Patricia; sons, Timothy (Debra) Alquist of Iron Mountain, William (Antonella) Alquist of Lone Tree, Colo., David (Carolyn) Alquist of Westminster, Colo., Robert (Melody) Alquist of Fort Lupton, Colo., William (Wendy) Lake of Breitung Township, and Steven Lake of Kingsford; daughters, Betty Aversano of Iron Mountain, Debra Seymour of Marinette, Wis., and Tina Fetterly of Kingsford; 18 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his sisters, Ethel Alquist and Helen Berlinski; brothers, Robert and Phillip Alquist.

Visitation will be 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017 at the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. at American Martyrs Church. Fr. Joseph Gouin will offer the Mass of Christian Burial.

Burial will be in the Quinnesec Cemetery.

Condolences may be expressed to the family of John Alquist online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com.

The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.