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John Thomas POWERS D.D.S.

FUNERAL HOME

Sandberg Funeral & Cremation Services

2593 East 7th Avenue

North Saint Paul, Minnesota

John POWERS Obituary

Name: Visitation for John Thomas POWERS D.D.S.
Start: 2018-06-29T14:00:00.000Z
End: 2018-06-29T16:00:00.000Z
Location: ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC CHURCH

Passed away June 25, 2018 surrounded by loving family John was a graduate of Cretin High School, Class of 1967, he served in the United States Army, & was a graduate of The U of M Dental School, Class of 1978. He was a long time member of the 3rd & 4th Degree Knights of Columbus & Boy Scouts of America. He practiced dentistry for 40 years. The last 18 of those years were in Montevideo, MN. Preceded in death by his mom & dad John H. & Mercedes & siblings Joseph, Sam, Kitty, & Andy. Survived by his loving wife Kathleen; children Melissa (Donny) Kopp, Rachel (Darreck), Bridgette OSB, & Jack (Kali); 4 grandchildren; siblings Mary Ellen (Glen) Ridgley, Liz (Sam Robertson), & Greg (Libby); & numerous nieces & nephews. Mass of Christian Burial Friday (6/29) 11:00 AM at ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC CHURCH, 512 Black Oak Avenue, Montevideo. Visitation two hours prior to service at Church. 651-777-2600 sandbergfuneralhome.com

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Published by Pioneer Press on Jun. 27, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for John POWERS

Sponsored by St Paul Pioneer Press.

19 Entries

Tim Brausen

June 20, 2025

Another year since you left us. I see your picture daily in my office, with Dondo, the James, Vic (all gone before you,) and Thom Hansen with me at VA's Stag Party in 1989 in Elko, Nevada - a fine time was had by all on that 28 hour adventure there and back on a Monday-Tuesday. It also reminds me of our Black Hills road trip in 1982 where we explored the Badlands and Black Hills, Custer National Park, Wind Cave and Mount Rushmore, all with cameras in hand. Wish you were here for more adventures, but that's life's cycle. RIP good friend.

Larry Wolff

June 20, 2024

John-You will always be remembered as a great dental school classmate and most importantly as a special friend. You certainly touched mine and many lives in a wondrous way. We continue to think of your loving family and friends who will always be in our warmest and heartfelt thoughts.

Tim Brausen

June 20, 2023

5 years since you left us on earth, and the world here is a little less happy because of it. Sorry you had to miss Rachel's wedding last year, you would have been on top of the world, though you were there in spirit and video. Your family and friends were all ecstatic, though there was a bittersweetness to it due to your absence (we loved that your chapeau was there.)

Hopefully you're looking down on us, amused and bemused by our human existence. I plan to see you in the future. We love you, John.

Larry Wolff

June 20, 2023

Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved ones today and always. Always remembering John, John's friends and John's love ones, Larry

Tim Brausen

June 20, 2022

I miss Dr. John, as do all who knew him well. Whether it was him singing or humming Motown music while he worked in your mouth, or asking you a million questions about family or mutual friends (often, while working on your mouth), he was always interested and upbeat. His kindness and curiosity were boundless. He left us far too young. RIP my good friend.

Tim Brausen

June 21, 2021

John is missed daily by those who knew him. We miss his smile, his laugh and the songs he sang while working. His spirit lives on through his family and friends.

I know he was always proud of his children and grandchildren, and that wouldn´t change today. Rest peacefully my friend.

Larry Wolff

June 20, 2021

You still are in our thoughts John-I can still see and hear your laugh that brought joy to so many. Larry (dental school class of 78)

Larry wolff

June 20, 2020

Two years have now passed that you have been gone. However, my fond memories of our friendship in dental school and beyond still remain and your special smile and laugh I can still see and hear. John-Rest in peace my very good friend. Larry

SUE HENDRICK

September 7, 2018

I was so sad to learn of John's passing. My deepest sympathies ,thoughts and prayers to the family. I worked for John as an assistant when he worked on Lowry in Mpls way back in the late 70's. When I graduated from the U of M in 1979 I went with him to Ramsey where he started up his new office. He was so fun. I loved that he had Zoltan the parrot in his office who would great us in the mornings. John was such a good dentist much of his work is still holding up well in my mouth. We always joked that he should carve his initials in the fillings. During breaks we would sit in the back room and play chess on a beautiful board he had. I will always remember how good he was with kids. I always got a kick out of his count impressions from sesame street he would do when counting the kid's teeth. I also remember going to the nursing homes where he dedicated his time and dentistry to help people. He was truly one of a kind and I will always remember those good times and memories. I knew rachel and melissa when they were small, sad I never got to meet the rest of his family. I also remember the sad day of attending his brother's funeral, I think back in 1985 when I was pregnant with my son Ben(who sadly also passed away this year in may at age 33) My heart goes out to everyone. John is not gone, just gone ahead to wait for his loved ones. God Bless!

Paul Popelka

August 8, 2018

What a shock to find that John is gone. John ('Poz' to his Cretin classmates) sat behind me in the last seat of our row in homeroom. Four years sitting in front of 'Poz' was the best place I could be! Peace to you, John, family and friends. and your family

Mike Skweres

August 5, 2018

I just read about Johns' passing in the Cretin newsletter. I do remember going to student housing on the St Paul Campus when John was a student at the U. Beer, the grill and music, good times. God Bless.

July 4, 2018

I was saddened to hear of Dr. Powers passing. I met him several times while dealing with dental therapy issues and always appreciated his straight forward, practical speaking as well as his quick laugh. His energy and advocacy will be missed.

Andrea Jordan, ADT, RDH
St Paul

Tim Brausen

July 1, 2018

John was one of my best friends from college days at the University of Minnesota. He was an inspiration to all, as he had a perpetually positive attitude about most everything in life. He saw the best in the world, and expected life to be good. It was around John.

I told him the last time I was with him in the hospital that one measure of the success of a man's life is the family and friends he leaves behind. By this definition, John's life was truly remarkable: he left 4 great children (now adults) and 4 fine grandchildren; a wife who loved him; and a community of "1500 of my most intimate friends" spread across the Twin Cities metro area and the southwestern Minnesota.

I'll miss him humming Motown tunes while working in my mouth, and his million questions about all the people we collectively knew (including their families, friends and others - he had to know everything.) He helped so many people over the years, and all of us were better for knowing him.

Rest in Peace, friend.

Janis Johnson

June 29, 2018

John you are one of my HEROS

June 28, 2018

When I was a young dental assistant I remember assisting him chairside and he had the best laugh and he sang songs. I have known John for decades and he has always been wonderful to myself and my family. Throughout the last few years I was so impressed by his strength as he battled cancer. He still had a great attitude and demeanor, even though it had to be difficult for him.
I am saddened by his passing and send my deepest condolences to Kathy and family. He will be missed throughout the dental community and beyond.
Bridgett Anderson

Larry Wolff

June 28, 2018

To Kathy and John's entire family,
We were so sorry to hear about John's passing. John was a fellow classmate while we were attending the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry graduating in 1978. In his special way, John was an inspiration to all of us.
Although our paths did not very frequently cross after graduation, I always regarded John as a special friend and colleague. Students who had the opportunity to train with John in his clinic always found it a very professionally rewarding experience. To Kathy and John's family, please know that we care and we share the sorrow with you at the passing of this very special person in your life (and ours too). With my very deepest sympathy,
Larry Wolff

Gregory Koltes

June 27, 2018

Very sorry to see this. Way too young. John was a a proud member and fashion coordinator for the Midway Men while at Cretin. Midway forever! I went to St. Mark's and Cretin with John. I think he grew up on Cleveland Ave. What a nice guy. None better. RIP!