Jonathan Keith Tinquist

Jonathan Keith Tinquist

1946 - 2025

Jonathan Keith "JON" Tinquist, age 79, of Cohasset, MN died Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at Grand Village, Grand Rapids, MN.

Jon was born April 14, 1946, in Grand Rapids, Minnesota to Theadore E. and Lily (Parks) Tinquist. Jon grew up in Cohasset, Minnesota, attended Cohasset Elementary, and Grand Rapids High School where he was active in football and wrestling. Jon placed 4th at the Minnesota State High School Wrestling Tournament. He graduated with the Class of 1964.

September 7, 1966, Jon volunteered for the draft into the United States Army serving in Vietnam 1967-1968. In May of 1968 he was united in marriage to Charla Mosher, and they were blessed with daughters Amy and Holly. His military service included a tour in Germany, serving as a military driver for visiting dignitaries, usher for President Harry Truman's funeral December 28, 1972, and serving as a court reporter at the Military War College, after having a disabling field accident in 1974; finally discharging from the Army 1978. College included attending NDSU, and Boise State University.

December 1991, he was united in marriage to Pearl Crandall. In 1997 Jon and Pearl started L.Z. Hope in Grand Rapids, a transitional house for veterans experiencing homelessness. During the Easter season of 1999 Jon made a return trip to Vietnam to finally see the country at peace. It was because of this transformative experience that the next 20 years he made an annual trip to Vietnam teaching American English and assisting Amerasians to emigrate legally to the Unted States through The Amerasian Home Coming Act, enacted by congress in 1987. Also giving private tours to a few of his fellow veterans returning them to locations that impacted their lives.

Jon enjoyed hunting and fishing and all that the Northern Minnesota outdoors had to offer. He was proud of his success of coaching high school wrestling in Boise, ID and middle school wrestling in Grand Rapids, MN. He was inducted into the Grand Rapids High School Wrestling Hall of Fame 2018.

He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings Ted Tinquist, Jerome and wife Cherry Tinquist, Phyllis and husband Bart Hoard. Jon is survived by his wife Pearl; children Amy (Jonas) Shannon, Holly (Darrin) Smith, Christopher Keho and Nicole (Jon) Toivonen; 10 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, 1 great, great grandchild; brothers Paul (Dee) Tinquist, Carl (Nancy) Tinquist, Ken (Kathy) Tinquist; sister-in-law Jean Tinquist as well as many extended family members including the Amerasians considering him their American father.

Visitation will be held Monday, November 3, 2025, from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM with a 6:30 PM Time of Sharing, at Zion Lutheran Evangelical Church, Grand Rapids, MN. Visitation will continue at church on Tuesday afternoon from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM with funeral services to follow at 2:00 PM. Pastor Rick Hoard and Dan Tinquist will officiate. The rendering of Military Funeral Honors will immediately follow the service. Interment will be in Itasca-Calvary Cemetery, Grand Rapids, MN at a later date.

Memorials suggested to the Itasca County Veterans Council or charity of your choice.

Arrangements are with the Rowe Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Grand Rapids, MN. To sign the online guestbook or send condolences visit www.rowefuneralhomeandcrematory.com.