John Andrew Lelwica

John Andrew Lelwica, age 95 of Lindstrom Minnesota, born and raised in Winona Minnesota by his proud Polish parents Isabel and Andrew, died on February 19, 2020 at his beautiful home on Kroon Lake. Preceded in death by his Mother Isabel (Herek) Lelwica, Father Andrew Lelwica and Mary (Welshons) his loving wife of 63years. Survived by his sister Barbara (Gene) Smith and his brother Dr. Ted (Marge) Lelwica. Children: Christine (Robert) Schulte, Lucy (Tom) Kittredge, Dr. Mary (Dr. Tom Hebeisen) Lelwica, Julia Lelwica Arcuri, Andrew Lelwica, and Dr. Michael (Laura Luchsinger) Lelwica. Grandchildren: Nicolas, Ariel, Brian, Simon, Sarah, Althea, Shane and Greta. Great-Grandchildren: Kaelyn, Colin, and Jaxon. Twelve nieces and nephews and numerous great and great-great nieces and nephews. John graduated from Winona Senior High (college prep) in 1942. After high school graduation he started attending St. Mary’s College (premed) in Winona. During high school and college he worked part-time as a movie theater usher, stock boy, sales clerk, caddie, and armament inventory clerk. As so many young men after America was attacked at Pearl Harbor he enlisted in the U.S. Navy on his 18th birthday December 15, 1942. He was very interested in flying so he signed up to be a Navy Pilot. His plan got derailed by a broken ankle suffered while playing football. John said that his mother prayed fervently that her son would not be harmed or killed while serving his country. Well Isabel got her prayer answered. John was very disappointed that he could not be a pilot in the Navy. God had other plans for John. If healthy John would have served on the USS Liscome Bay which was sunk during the war. After two surgeries and recovery he returned to active duty training to be a gunner and bomb disposal person. No danger there!! John fondly remembers all the places he got to visit during his service time: North Dakota, Georgia, North Carolina, Florida, Illinois, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Washington D.C. and California. After being honorably discharged from the Navy on May 22, 1946 he returned home to Winona to start his life over again. He met the “Flying Grandfather” Max Conrad at the Winona Airport. John got his private pilot license and finally got to fly a plane. He went back to St. Mary’s College to finish his BSS Degree in Business Administration and graduated in 1949. He then studied at the University of Minnesota to get credits to become a teacher. Here his life changed forever. His future wife Mary was also attending the U o M at the same time. At that time Mary’s roommate was dating John’s fraternity brother. Those two arranged for John and Mary to meet on a blind date. Love at first sight! Nine months later they were married on June 17, 1950 at St. Michaels Catholic Church in Stillwater Minnesota. After the wedding John was hired to be an 8th grade Math Teacher and Basketball Coach at Meadowbrook School Golden Valley. John and Mary found themselves with twin girls and another girl born shortly after that. John knew he needed to find a better paying job to support his growing family. So in 1952 he joined the F.B.I. His main two assignments were Detroit, Michigan and Newark, New Jersey. He was involved in investigations concerning National Security, Espionage and Sabotage, Bank Robberies, Kidnapping and Extortion while serving as an agent and supervisor in Detroit. In Newark he was also a supervisor of a squad of men investigating crimes in the trucking industry and organized crime. He retired from the F.B.I in 1975. He briefly worked as a Supervisor of Security at a bank in Newark, NJ. Then John and Mary decided to go back to the Midwest. Landing in Sioux City, Iowa first as John was hired to be head of security for IBP meat plant. In 1983/84 John and Mary moved back to their home state of Minnesota. They renovated a large summer cottage into a permanent home on Kroon Lake in Lindstrom, MN. John took great care of the house and large property. He loved to garden, put up bird feeders, feed the birds, repair and restore furniture, and do some wood working. His faithful dog Rooney was by his side on many of those adventures. He carefully researched and documented his Polish Ancestry of his Mother Isabel’s side of the family. He was very active in building up and ministry at St. Bridget Catholic Church in Lindstrom. He did some work with the Chisago County Historical Society. Later years on Kroon Lake involved John taking care of his wife Mary until her death in 2013. John was a very caring man who touched and affected many lives near and far. He left this earth surrounded by the love of family, angels Kapsners, Froemkes, his cat buddy Blink, his caregiver Leigha and many other friends. John’s funeral will be held at noon on Friday March 6 with visitation one hour prior to the service all at Simonet Funeral Home, 6429 Osgood Ave. N., Stillwater, MN. In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to Family Pathways Chisago Lakes Area Food Shelf.

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