John Roy Papenfuss

1946 - 2025

John Roy Papenfuss, age 79 of Ironton, passed away at his home on August 31, 2025 surrounded by his family. He was born in Stillwater on August 6, 1946 to Roy and Fayra (Evermann) Papenfuss. John married Mary Kay Anderson on December 30, 1967 in Stillwater.

John graduated from the Stillwater High School, class of 1964. He was a U.S. Navy veteran, serving from 1964 to 1967. In 1968, he enrolled in the Lineman program at Wadena Tech. He was a Lineman for 35 years with Minnesota Power, Crosby Branch. He was a retired member of the Ironton Fire Department and a member of IBEW Local 31.

John enjoyed his Harleys and bike trips to Wisconsin, Sturgis and Daytona Beach; hunting and fishing; morning coffee at the North Country (Round Table) and spending time with family and friends.

John is survived by his wife, Mary Kay; two sons, Roy R. "Rory" Papenfuss of Brainerd and Ryan Papenfuss of Omaha, Nebraska; two daughters, Heather (Brent) Wilts of Kerkhoven and Amber (Greg) Rono of Crosby; 14 grandchildren, Bria (Ryan) Brown, Noah, Grace, and Piper Papenfuss, Ashley (Derik) Gertken, Rachel, Randy, and Riley Papenfuss, Hunter, Tanner, Connor and Tucker Wilts, Jordan and Kalli Jo Papenfuss; six great grandchildren, Sawyer, Saylor and Saige Brown, and Griffin, Everly and Ripley Gertken; also extended family member John Brabbit.

Preceding John in death are his parents; brother, Harold and twin sister, Janet Schell.

A Funeral Service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 13, 2025 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Crosby. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Burial will be at the Woodland Cemetery in Irondale Township with full military honors presented by the Myrin-James American Legion Post #443. Arrangements are with the Koop Funeral Home in Crosby.