John Rask

John L. Rask, age 69, of rural Victoria, Illinois passed away on Thursday, January 2, 2025 at his home surrounded by his family.
He was born on August 31, 1955 in Galesburg, Illinois the son of Lowell and Marilyn (Sornberger) Rask. He attended and graduated from ROVA High School. He married Kristine L. Self on August 15, 1997 at the United Methodist Church in Williamsfield, Illinois.
Surviving are his sons: Robert (Meta) Rask of Dahinda, Illinois, Jacob (Jessica) Rask of Clearwater, Florida, Chance Rask of Victoria, Illinois, Derick (Lacy) Dykeman of Williamsfield, Illinois, Tyler Dykeman of Victoria, Illinois and James Dykeman of Normal, Illinois; seven grandchildren: Lucas Rask, Amelia Rask, Emersyn Rask, Joseph Rask, Jake Rask, Oliver Dykeman and Morton Dykeman; his mother, Marilyn Rask of Victoria; one brother Robert Rask, one nephew, Brandon (Marta) Rask, Dunedin, Florida and one niece, Nikki Rask, Victoria, Il; and his loyal companion, Thor. He was preceded in death by his father, grandfather and sister, Marcia.
He worked for the former Midland Coal Company in Victoria, Illinois. Then he owned and operated Rask Transportation in Victoria, Illinois, which he founded in 1979. He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Victoria, Illinois and a life member of the NRA
He enjoyed tinkering on equipment, farming, and feeding his geese and pheasants on the home place. He collected guns and was a big truck lover. He was a 40 plus year member of Midwest Truckers.
Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Thursday, January 9, 2025, with funeral services following the visitation at the Oaks Community Church, 1868 Congregation Road, Dahinda, Illinois. Rev. Marty Briney officiating. Memorials may be made to the Rask CDL Scholarship Foundation. On-line condolences and/or expressions of sympathy may be sent through www.hurd-hendricksfuneralhome.com
Excerpt from Midwest Truckers Magazine –
John Rask of Rask Transportation has been his own boss since 1979 and throughout the years has enjoyed every aspect of the trucking business. "I enjoy being my own boss. I enjoy driving trucks," John said "I have always said I have been blessed to get up every day and go to a job I love. How awful it would be to get up every morning and go to a job you hated. I am fortunate!"
Except for five years after high school working for Midland Coal Company, John has been running his own business. My brother and I decided we would buy one truck and one trailer and start hauling fuel." And that's exactly what they did.
"Then, in 1991, I bought a local guy's business and started hauling rock and spreading lime. "John said. "Since my early years, I have been joined by my wife, Kris, and my son, Robert, my son, Jake, my son, Derick, and now my son, Chance." Truck driving looks to continue in the family, as well. When John's grandson was about five years old, he signed a contract with his grandpa saying he would become a truck driver when he got older. "And guess what," Kris said. "He now works for us which makes his grandpa very happy!" From that one truck and trailer, Rask Transportation, based out of Victoria, Illinois, now has 25 fuel trailers, 14 dump trailers, a low boy, three tandem axle dumps, 30 tractors, three lime spreaders, 11 drivers, 11 owner operators, two mechanics, five office personnel, and a grounds keeper/truck detailer.
"Today we haul fuel, alcohol, rock, lime, equipment ad fertilizer," John said. Then he throws this in "And on the side, we dig graves!"
To make it over 40 years in any business you need good people around you. "My wife and I appreciate the hard work from every employee at Rask Transportation,"
And like most trucking companies, finding good drivers and having enough help is the biggest challenge. "We need drivers right now and it's getting harder and harder to hire" John said, "that makes it difficult to cover loads when you don't have enough drivers."
Although it seems that John sets a pretty good example "John loves to work, he would work all the time if he had his way," Kris said. "We always joke about the fact that he does not like to leave Knox County." Not for lack of trying on Kris's part, she has tried to get John on a vacation to no avail. She did come close a couple of times but now she says, "I stopped trying to vacation with him!!!"
Just to prove that point, in over 40 years, only once has John let the weather get the best of him and close completely down for the day. But then, that's the reason he has a successful company and a dedicated staff that wants to work with him. And as Kris said "He is an honest, hands-on, hard-working man. "He deserves Trucker of the Month."
CONGRATULATIONS!