John Kowalski

John passed away on Monday, February 12, 2024, at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Fargo, ND, surrounded by his loving family, at the age of 85.

John James Kowalski was born on November 9, 1938, the son of Fred and Helen (Kaiser) Kowalski, at St. Ansgar’s Hospital in Moorhead. He grew up in Moorhead with his siblings and attended parochial school at St. Joseph’s. Following his education, John enlisted in the United States Navy where he proudly served his country for over 23 years.

John met his future wife, Janine, at the M & H gas station in Moorhead. After a brief courtship, they were married on January 6, 1966. In the early years of their marriage, they made their home in many different places because of his military career. John served on several aircraft carriers including the Coral Sea, the Kitty Hawk, the JFK, the Enterprise, and the Shangri-La. He was very proud of his military career and also to have the designation of being a “Shell Back” having served in both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans crossing the equator.

When john retired from the Navy they returned to Minnesota and made their home in Glyndon. He then began his second career with the United States Post Office in Fargo for the next 21 years. In his retirement years, John loved spending time with his grandchildren teaching them how to play baseball and fast pitch softball. He loved sharing stories and telling jokes (his own jokes were always the funniest 😊).

John was a life-long member of the VFW, a member of the Moorhead American Legion, and the Fargo AM Vets.

John is survived by his wife, Janine Kowalski of Moorhead; his children – Jeffrey Kowalski of St. Paul, MN; Joel (Tanya) Kowalski of Port Orange, FL; and Ja Lane (Allen) Marjama of Port Orange; his step daughters – Deb Froslie of Moorhead; Lori Schiermeister of Spokane, WA; his grandchildren – Mia Kowalski, Abbi Kowalski, Torii Kowalski, Gage Marjama, Elektra Marjama, Lyle Hager, Gabe Hager, Maddie Birrenkott, Riki Guzzo, and Dakota Schiermeister; and one very special great grandchild, Campbell Guzzo. Also surviving are his nieces and nephews and many other very dear relatives.
John was preceded in death by his grandson, Chanz Marjama; step daughter, Judy Froslie; his parents, Fred and Helen; and his siblings – Fred “Jug” Kowalski, Patricia Dean, Marie Mortenson, Betty Olson, James Kowalski, and Sandra Reitan.

FUNERAL SERVICE: 11 AM Saturday, February 17, 2024, at Boulger Funeral Home in Fargo – with a visitation one hour prior

BURIAL: 9 AM Monday, February 19, 2024, at the Fargo National Cemetery near Harwood, ND