John Warren Haskell, Jr was born on April 14, 1949, to Major John Warren Haskell, Sr and Ramona (Koefod) Haskell in Ft Meade, MD. He passed away peacefully on May 30, 2024, at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, MN with his wife MaryAnn and daughters Michelle and Sara by his side.

John’s life was an ongoing miracle and a testament to his ever-present belief in mind over matter and taking control of your own destiny. When he was two years old, he was diagnosed with a congenital birth defect in his heart and was not expected to live to see his fifth birthday. At seven he was one of the youngest people in the United States to undergo an open-heart surgery at Fitzsimons Army Hospital in Colorado. His parents, insisting that he live life like any other child, were the first to instill in him the belief that he was never going to be held back or defined by his health issues. As a military child, he lived in Germany, Georgia, Maryland, and El Paso, until finally settling in Willow River, MN.

Willow River represented some of the happiest years of his life. He was well loved and made many fond memories there. Wanting to play football but not allowed to do so without written clearance from the doctor who performed his surgery, he and his father drove to Colorado to get just that. In true John fashion, he was not content with just being allowed to play, but eventually became captain of the team. In Willow he met his first wife Linda (Good) Schrupp.  They went on to have two daughters: Michelle and Sara.  He formed friendships and bonds that would last a lifetime.

After high school John attended the University of Minnesota Duluth and later transferred to the Minneapolis campus to complete his Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education in 1976. In 1992 he earned his Master’s Degree in Physical Education with an emphasis on Sports Psychology & Gender Bias Female Athletes Endure.  In 2002 he earned his K-12 Principal License from St. Cloud State University. John was a Gopher through and through and loved nothing more than walking around campus reminiscing.

John worked in the Big Lake Public School District from 1979 – 2008, serving as an In School Suspension (ISS) teacher, Health and Physical Education teacher, coach, Teachers’ Union representative, and Community Education Director. John was much more than a teacher and coach to many: he was an advocate, a friend, a mentor, and the person who helped many reach their potential. He transformed ISS from a punitive experience into a learning environment, leading many to complete high school and graduate. As Community Education Director, he established the Modified Learning Center at Big Lake High School, and in 2007 he led and resolved tense negotiations on behalf of the Teachers’ Union. In 2008, John was awarded the Leadership in Educational Excellence Award to recognize his stellar and far-reaching career. After retirement, John’s love for children led him back to the classroom as a substitute teacher and educational assistant, again advocating for and mentoring many from 2014-2017.

While working in Big Lake, John met the love of his life, MaryAnn, whom he married on July21,  1990. John and MaryAnn had a unique bond, and she was his best friend, his confidante, and his soft place to land. MaryAnn was by his side every day during his month-long stay at Abbott Northwestern Hospital at the end of his life, serving as his voice and caretaker until the end.

John was an avid fitness and nutrition champion, doing everything in his power to give his body what it needed to not only survive, but thrive. He loved lifting weights and was a competitive Olympic style weightlifter from 1979-1983. He loved sports, playing cards (especially 500), and his family. He was passionate about these things, and when he was passionate about something his whole face lit up.

John underwent two more open heart surgeries in 1993 and 2004, both times recovering to lead a full and active life. His life was filled with procedures, surgeries, hospital stays, and visits to specialists, but he was fiercely private about this, never wanting pity or to be defined by his struggles. His cause of death was due to complications from vascular issues, but his heart was still strong. In the end, he won that battle, and in that we find some peace.

John loved people and people loved John - we have seen proof of this in recent days as stories of his influence have poured in. He was a man of great fortitude and faced all of his health issues with stoicism, bravery, and a “solutions only” mindset. This is his legacy: success against all odds, controlling your own destiny, and, most importantly, doing it with an attitude of a champion. His faith in God was strong and we find comfort in the fact that he is spending eternity in his Father's arms. 

We would like to extend our deepest appreciation to all of the nurses, doctors, and staff at Abbott Northwestern Hospital who cared for John not only during his final days, but for the decades he was a patient there. Your kindness, generosity, professionalism, and compassion will not be forgotten.

John is preceded in death by his parents, Major John W Haskell, Sr. and Ramona Haskell; uncle Robert Koefod; parents-in-law Al and Evelyn Danzl; and brothers-in-law Ronald Danzl and Maurice DaVault.

John is survived by his wife, MaryAnn (Danzl); his daughters Michelle Haskell and Sara (Josh) Sederberg; grandchildren Kayla (Harrison Thompson) Johnson, Bailey (Kerlyn) Larsen, Noah Johnson, Hailey Sederberg, Isaac Larsen, and Bella Sederberg; great-grandson Hunter Reed Krueger; sister Kris (Bruce) Anderson, brother Robert “Bronco” (Suk) Haskell; sisters-in-law Pat (Bob) McDowall and Kathleen DaVault; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family, all who loved him dearly. 

In accordance with John’s wishes, there will not be a public memorial service but we ask that you celebrate his life in a way that is meaningful to you. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made and stories be shared via the links below.  

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