John Day

1944 - 2026

John Raymond Day, age 81, passed away with family and friends by his side on March 21, 2026 at the Country Meadows Assisted Living.

There will be a Celebration of John's Life, on Saturday, April 11, 2026 from 1 to 6 PM at the Gorecki Center in Milaca. A private burial take place at a later date.

John was born June 21, 1944 to Raymond Leslie Day and Isabelle (Hardy) Day in Bock, MN. He spent his early childhood in Bock. For a few years he lived in Austin, MN until they came back to Milaca. He helped run the family store, North Side Service. He graduated from Milaca High School in 1962.

In January of 1964, he married Sharon Olson and to this union had two daughters, Johnna Sharleen and Kathleen Anna. They divorced several years later. He later remarried Patricia Diane Bockoven. He then became a step-father to Christine Patricia Bockoven.

John worked for Woodcraft Industries for 34 years until he retired in 2006. After he retired he drove school bus for Sue Westling for 12 years. During that time he continued with his sign painting business, lettering Wayne Transports trucks, Kuba sprint cars and numerous businesses and private parties in the surrounding areas. John and Pat also raised and showed Arabian horses. Their farm was called Green Acres Arabians.

His favorite pass time was spending time with family, whether it was fishing, riding horse, going to see the World of Outlaws or just hanging around a bonfire at the farm. John loved talking to people wherever he went. He always had a smile on his face.

He is survived by his daughters, Johnna Schwindt, Kathleen Shipman (Bill Eggert); step-daughter, Christine Jacobson; grandchildren, Lucy Paulson (Jake), Tyler Kuether (Nat), Zach Kuether (Katie), Jordan Shipman, Hannah Freyholtz (Austin) and Samuel Jacobson; great-grandchildren, Norton Paulson, Neo Paulson, Riven Freyholtz, Walker Freyholtz and Asher Kuether; brother, Jere Day (Linda); sister, Audrey Bowe; special friends, Eric and Jessica Humphreys; honorary granddaughter, Alyssa Wilsey and his many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia; two great-grandsons, Nolan and Oliver; sisters, Marilyn, Janet and Susie; brother-in-law, Ronald Bowe and parents, Ray and Isabelle Day.