John "Jack" Cootware

John "Jack" C. Cootware 92, passed on to join our Lord and Savior on November 6, 2018 in his home surrounded with love from his loved ones and support through the V.A. home Hospice Service. Jack was born on August 6, 1926, the son of John J. and Esther (Gustafson) Cootware. He lived in Quinnesec, MI until the family moved to Metropolitan to take care of his grandfather’s farm after a disastrous fire took his grandfather’s life leaving young sons who needed caring for. Jack attended Felch High School, leaving school at the end of his junior year to volunteer to join the Navy, for the duration of World War II. At the end of the war, he along with six other veterans his age, returned to finish their high school education; graduating with the class of 1947. Jack enrolled in college at Michigan State University in the Spring Term of 1948 and graduated three years later in March of 1951 with a degree in Vocational Agricultural Education. He was employed, upon graduation, as an instructor in the Felch Veterans On The Farm Training Program. He, also a veteran, was the youngest person in the classroom. After two years, he added on the responsibility of serving as the Vocational Agricultural Teacher at the Felch High School and later the consolidated North Dickinson School District. He produced many local, regional, state, and national winning teams with his Future Farmers of America programs. Two of his students were chosen as National Star Farmers, which is a big honor. Jack’s other love was farming which he inherited from his grandfather. Jack purchased a farm in Ralph in 1952 where he started working the soil for a crop of potatoes. The farm had not been tilled for over 50 years so it took a great deal of perseverance but he has kept the farm producing for the longest tenure of any previous owner. Jack married his wife, Donna M. Blomquist of Felch, in 1954. They moved to the farm in Ralph where they worked along with their six children until April of 2014. Jack was active on many Boards during his life, such as, the County Fair Board, Agricultural Stabilization Committee, Felch Co-op Board, Metropolitan Farmers Union, Michigan Farmers Union Board, where he served as a lobbyist in Washington D.C. on the National Farmers Union Cattlemen’s Committee. He also served on several local township boards at various times. Jack concentrated on raising certified seed potatoes and ran an Angus cow/calf operation. He retired turning the farm over to his son, John E., but continued to work on the farm, his life long love, until he was forced to quit. Jack leaves his wife Donna (Blomquist) Cootware, daughters Deanna (Richard) Smith- Ontonagon, MI; Paulette (Michael) Holmes-Randville, MI, Donna Mae (Gregory) Stahlmann-Ishpeming, MI; Suzette (Neil) Stenfors-Norway, MI; Michelle (William) Schirtzinger- Green Bay, WI and his wonderful memories of his son John Edwin, partner and best friend. He also leaves his sister Barbara Klefstad of Brighton, MI; and his brother Theodore (Fanny) Mattson of Kingsford, MI. His grandchildren: Jaclyn Smith-Tampa, FL; Crystal Smith-Lower Central, MI; Bridgit (Chris) Adams-Little Chute, WI; Jennifer (Chad) Kielas- Eagan, MN; Ann Cootware-Marquette, MI; Michael Cootware; Pauline Holmes- Madison, WI; Allen (Amanda) Holmes- Ralph, MI; Major M.D. Charles Stahlmann-Las Vegas, NV; Captains Samuel (Michaela) Stahlmann-Gladstone, MI; Lindsey (Troy) Drebenstedt- Layton, UT; Sgt. Philip (Julie) Stenfors- Norway, MI; Alan (Molly) Stenfors-Waudedah, MI; Rebbecca Brennan-Kingsford, MI; A.J. (Sarah) Schirtzinger- Green Bay, WI; April Lilly Schirtzinger. His great grandchildren: Van, Jax, Connor, Liam, Brendan, Samantha, Steven, Mary Grace, Savanna, Andraya, Azarya, Adaliynah, Keegan, Payzlee, Mickayla, Kristoff, Wilhelm, Heidi, Tobias, Kyle, Hunter, Cecilia, Cory, Andrea, Evan, Emily, Maya, Alex, Paige, Carter, and Lilly. His great-great grandchildren are Allie, Niles, Liam, and Luna. His adopted by heart couples: Tim and Lynda Snyder, Leroy and Lynn Norquiest, Leroy and Lynn Connors, Frank and Cindy Schwab, and special friend and WWII navy shipmate Robert “Cubby” Martignon. He was preceeded in death by his parents, his brothers Robert (Robin), Roger (Buddy), son John Edwin, granddaughter April, and brother-in-laws Clifford K., Elroy M., and Roger A. Visitation will be on Monday, Nov. 12 from 9:30-11:30am at Zion Lutheran Church in Metropolitan. Funeral services will follow at 11:30am at the church. The Felch-Breen VFW Post 4803 will conduct military honors following the funeral service. Burial will be in the Ralph Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Philip Stenfors, Alan Stenfors, Sam Stahlmann, Charles Stahlmann, Allen Holmes, A.J. Schirtzinger, Neil Stenfors and Gregory Stahlmann. Condolences to the family of John "Jack" Cootware may be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.net The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.

John "Jack" Cootware

August 6, 1926 - November 6, 2018