John F. "Jack" Bloomquist

John (Jack) Fredolph Bloomquist was born in Bemidji, Minnesota on August 20, 1928 to Fredolph (Fritz) and Dorothy Louise (Doty) Bloomquist. The family moved to Wadena, Minnesota and resided there for a few years before moving to Sebeka, Minnesota, where they lived with Mrs. Bloomquist’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. J.B. Doty. Shortly after moving to Sebeka, Mr. Bloomquist was fatally injured in an auto accident on November 24, 1936. In April of 1938, Dorothy Bloomquist and Marion E. Isherwood were united in marriage, which resulted in Jack Bloomquist growing up in the printing and publishing business. Jack graduated from Sebeka High School in 1946 and worked at the Sebeka Review until 1947, when he attended Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis and worked at several printing companies as a Linotype operator while going to school. On completion of schooling at Dunwoody Institute, Jack was employed by the Park Rapids Enterprise, the Jackson Pilot and the Albert Lea Daily Tribune, where he was employed until October 1950, when he was drafted into the United States Army. On completion of his military tour, he returned to work in Albert Lea and later to a typesetting company in Minneapolis, where he remained until the fall of 1954, when he purchased the Menahga Messenger. Jack was united in marriage to LaVonne (Vonnie) Tomlinson on September 3, 1955. In addition to raising five sons, Vonnie was an integral part of the newspaper, and at various times was bookkeeper, editor and advertising sales representative. In 1966 they acquired the Sebeka Review and published the two newspapers until 1970, when they combined them into the Review Messenger. The business was sold to their son Tim in 1998. During his tenure in the newspaper business, Jack served on the Menahga Fire Department, Menahga City Council, Menahga and Sebeka Development Corporations, Menahga and Sebeka Civic & Commerce Associations, Wadena County Planning Commission and the Wadena County Fair Board. He was a life member of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Jack enjoyed hunting, fishing and playing golf with his sons and many friends, and spending time with his grandchildren. He was an avid fan of the Minnesota Vikings and Minnesota Twins. Jack is survived by his wife of 56 years, Vonnie, and four sons: Jon (Sarah) of Menahga; Mark (Nona) of Larkspur, Colorado; Tim (Susan) of Park Rapids; and Dan (Nadine) of Missoula, Montana; 12 grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, son Todd, brother Roger, and stepbrothers Michael, Robert and Mark Isherwood. Funeral Services will be held on Friday, April 1, 2011 at 10:30 A.M. at the Assumption of Our Lady Catholic Church in Menahga, MN. Visitation will be Thursday, March 31, 2011 from 5-8 PM at the Wevley Funeral Home in Sebeka, MN, and one hour prior to Service at the church. Inurnment will be at Menahga City Cemetery at a later date.