Obituary of Jon R Jacka

Jon R Jacka (formerly of Fridley, MN) Passed away on December 20, 2022, at the age of 86 in Rosemount, MN. Jon was born on May 26, 1936, in Beloit, WI to Alonzo and Muriel Jacka. Jon attended Harvard University during his freshman year of college. He briefly served in the US Army, before being honorably discharged. Jon earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Following college, he worked in the printing industry and as a community organizer in Chicago. In 1970, he then moved to St. Cloud, MN to work with Tri-County Action Programs. In the early 1970s, Jon took an executive position with Learning Tree Children’s Centers and moved to Fridley, MN. Jon remained in the childcare industry until he retired. Jon was particularly proud of starting “Bright Start Children’s Centers” in the late 1980s with his wife, Susan. Jon enjoyed reading, traveling, and collecting vintage cobalt glass, Colt guns, and pigs.

Jon was preceded in death by his parents; his brother Lon Jacka; his wife, Susan (Burke) Johnson-Jacka; and his son-in-law Steven Lufkin. Survived by children: Jon Jacka, Jr of Hollywood, FL, Stacy Lufkin and Karla (Steve) Kraus of Rosemount; and grandsons Isaiah, Zachariah, Dylan, and Jake. Memorial gathering (open house style) May 25th, 4-6:30 pm at the Cremation Society of MN Edina Chapel: 7110 France Avenue South, Edina, MN 55435.