Obituary of John Drongeson

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of John Drongeson, who left this life in his typical quiet fashion on March 9th, 2025, following a number of years courageously demonstrating how to thrive while living with Parkinson’s disease. With his passing, he is reunited with his “precious darling”, Kathleen, stepdaughter, Gwendolyn, parents, Lewis and Delores, brother, William, and nephew, Eric. 

John was born in Minneapolis on June 5th, 1942. Following an early life that built his strong character and work ethic, including very early years (and mornings) helping at his father’s bakery in Richfield and enlisting in the Naval Reserves program in his junior year of high school, he graduated from West High in 1960. The day after his graduation, he left for basic training which led him into active duty. At the time of his discharge from active duty in 1962 he held the rank of 2nd Class Petty Officer and after brief employment with Univac, a fortuitous conversation with his former art teacher inspired him to enroll at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. And so began a career and his lifelong love of the arts. He would go on to receive a Master of Arts in Environmental Design and see his work displayed in various locations, including the Minneapolis Federal Reserve building and the Arcade Building in Racine, WI. 

In 1986, John met the love of his life, Kathleen. Their 31 years together were marked by their mutual passion for the arts, keen wit, and a loving and creative approach to life. Together they cultivated friendships, and a family as diverse and beautiful as the gardens they planted at their home in Minneapolis. John often said, “The garden was all Kathy. I just dug the holes”. This is a perfect example of his humility, as anyone who has attempted gardening knows “double digging” holes requires strength and effort. So, too, does cultivating a family. We are grateful John embraced both. 

John is survived by stepchildren Scott Taylor (Donna Freeberg), Lynn (Joe) Betzold, son-in-law Robert Edwards, 10 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, siblings Pat Keener and Charles Drongeson, and many other extended family, and friends. 

A celebration of life will be held at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, April 26, 2025 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 9185 Lexington Ave NE, Circle Pines, MN 55014. Visitation will be one hour before the service at the church. A reception will follow.