John S Falada

John Falada (1949-2024)
John Sylvester Falada, passed away in Phoenix, AZ surrounded by family on September 11, 2024. He was born March 3, 1949 in Decorah, Iowa. He grew up on a family farm near Spillville, IA along with his mother, father and paternal grandmother. He had one sister, Mary, who passed away at 9 months old and one brother, Jerry, who passed away when he was 18 years old.
Growing up on the farm, John learned the value of family, faith, hard work, loyalty and perseverance. He attended St. Wenceslaus catholic school through the 8th grade. He graduated from South Winneshiek High School in 1967. He moved to Minneapolis and attend electrical trade school for 2 years.
The world was calling him for a bigger task and he chose to enlist in the United States Air Force in October 1969. He served in the Vietnam war and retired with 20 years of service ending in Vandenburg AFB in California. He had two tours of duty in Germany that he enjoyed very much. His daughter, Cathy, was born in 1975 and John raised her as a single father from 3 years old until she married and had a family of her own. In 1990 after retiring from the Air Force, John and Cathy moved to Gilbert, Arizona.
John worked at Cendant (hotel reservations) in Phoenix for the next 12 years. Also working at the same company was a lady by the name of Sharon Kunold. They had very little contact with each other until nine years later in 1998. Their romance blossomed quickly and they married 7 months after their first date. They both enjoyed hiking together, travelling and going to local concerts. Faith was very important to both John and Sharon. Daily prayer together was a part of their life. John attended St. Patrick's regularly and Sharon attended Scottsdale Bible Church where she participated and still participates in the church orchestra. They would occasionally visit each other's church. When covid restrictions began to lift, John & Sharon would alternate one week at St. Patrick's and the next week at Scottsdale Bible. Growing up with different faiths, they learned how to make it work.
John was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2011. Although he endured 13 years of treatment, he always remained positive and kept a good attitude. It didn't stop him from hiking 6 miles a day or travelling to all 50 states, over 50 countries and all 7 continents in his life.
After leaving the Cendant company in 2002, he went to work for Mayo Clinic. He thoroughly enjoyed his 10 years of employment there and continued volunteering at Mayo for an additional 12 years. In the last few days of his life, he was hospitalized at the same place he had worked and volunteered for 22 years. It is comforting to know he was in a place he loved and trusted. He received the most excellent care from the team of doctors and nurses at Mayo and they are truly a top-notch organization. The family is very grateful for everything the Mayo staff did for John.
John is survived by his wife, Sharon Falada, daughter, Cathy Somers (Aaron), Grandson Tyler Somers, Granddaughter Moriah Somers, Sharon's family in Nebraska and multiple cousins mostly in the midwest. He is preceded in death by his father, Joseph Falada, mother, Irma Falada, sister Mary Falada and brother Jerry Falada.
Interment will be at the National Cemetery in Phoenix, Arizona. A Memorial service will be celebrated on Friday, September 27 at 11:00 am at St. Patrick's church located on 10815 N. 84th St. in Scottsdale, AZ. Livestream available starting at 10:30 am with a photo slideshow prior to the service. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebPMbFJ9K8U
In lieu of flowers, those who wish can make donations in memory of John Falada to the USO – https://intermountain.uso.org/skyharbor or the Fearless Kitty Rescue -https://fearlesskittyrescue.org/