John Edward Aho

John Edward Aho

November 17, 1942- December 2, 2025

John Edward Aho was born on November 17, 1942, in the iron range of Crosby, Minnesota. He was the second of five children born to Donald Aho and Violet (Hill) Aho. His family moved to St. Peter, Minnesota, where he played football for St. Peter High School.

After high school, John joined the United States Marine Corps and was stationed in Barstow, California. He played football while in the marines. He was then asked to try out for the Oakland Raiders but turned down the offer. Afterwards, he went to Gustavus College in St. Peter, where he played football for one season and then coached.

He fell in love with Alice Tentis, a young woman he met and worked with at the Holiday House, a local restaurant. He and Alice got married on April 8, 1967. After a few years, they moved their family to Rapid City, South Dakota where he finished his master's degree in paleontology/geology. He worked as a senior hydrologist for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency until retirement.

John and Alice were married over 58 years. They had three children, John, Jennifer, and Jason, 23 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren. Family was incredibly important to John. He had a way of making each family member feel unique and loved. He and Alice continued to be very involved in their families' lives, which was a great source of joy to all family members.

During the last three months of life, John suffered immensely but did not complain. Alice spent every day at his side. For much of this time, John couldn't speak, walk, or swallow. John fought hard, but on December 2, 2025, John passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by many family members.

John is survived by his wife, Alice, his three children, John (Kimberly), Jennifer (Dale), and Jason (Toni), 23 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, sisters Becky (Greg), Liz (Dean), and many nieces, nephews, and extended family members. John was preceded in death by his father and mother, Donald and Violet, his brother Donald, and sister Donna.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held Friday, December 12, at 10:30 am at the Church of the Epiphany in Coon Rapids, Minnesota, with visitation beginning at 9:30 am. Visitation also will be held the evening before, Thursday, December 11, at Washburn McReavy in Coon Rapids, from 4-7 pm with rosary at 6:30. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Franciscan Brothers of Peace, an organization that John appreciated.