John Joseph Luknic, 91, of Edina, Minnesota, peacefully passed away on August 25, 2025. He was surrounded by love and family.

John was born in 1934 in Trnava, Slovakia, the son of Wendell and Anna (Dohnal) Luknic. His early life was shaped by World War II, which engulfed Europe during his childhood. The family fled to Austria in 1945. They emigrated in 1949 to the farming community around Waseca, Minnesota, sponsored by a local Catholic church. John graduated from Sacred Heart High School in 1953. He spent three years in Seminary at St. Mary’s College in Winona, MN, then shifted his focus to education, graduating from St Mary’s in 1957 with a BA in Philosophy.  He went on to earn two master's degrees from Mankato State in 1966 and 1969, in English and in Spanish.

John married Lucrecia Pizarro in 1959 in Cali, Colombia. They raised three daughters, Beatrice, Alice and Virginia during their 25 years together.  

John was a talented and well-loved professor for 33 years, teaching languages and philosophy.  A founding staff member at Normandale Community College in Bloomington, MN, he retired in 1991 after 23 years. John was active in many school programs, including leading students on international trips. He reveled in winning the annual table tennis competition against the ever-younger college students.

John was a self-taught builder, completing his first home from scratch for his family in 1976. He went on to become a successful general contractor and residential land developer.

John thrived throughout his long life accompanied by his devoted partner Marcela Telleria, who was by his side for 34 years. They built a beautiful garden, enjoying visits from hummingbirds, butterflies and the new wren families it attracted each year. The squirrels were a particular favorite for John.

John treasured helping and mentoring others to success. He had a passion for cooking, poetry, and painting. He was a lover of words, languages, and culture. He spoke Slovak, German, Latin, English, and Spanish. He shared many stories with all who would listen, enjoyed writing and sharing quotes, and had a penchant for linguistic elaboration.

John was proud of his Slovak Heritage and served as the Minnesota Honorary Consul of Slovakia from 1997 to 2007.  John and Marcela hosted many international visitors from Europe and Latin America.

In retirement John took up golfing, playing local tournaments into his nineties. He won the Dwan Golf Club championship in 2020 and hit a hole-in-one in 1998. He would want you to know it was 170 yards.

As much as he accomplished, John always sought to make a difference in the lives of everyone he met with his wisdom and generosity.

John is survived by his life partner Marcela Telleria, children Beatrice Forstrom, Alice Luknic (Gary Wint), Virginia Yarce (Omar), their mother Lucrecia Luknic, son in every sense Jeff Stenbeck; grandchildren Nichole Forstrom (Chad Dack), Zachary Forstrom (Sara), Milo Wint, Erin Wint, Egan Wint, Andy Yarce (Isabelle), Matthew Yarce, Mark Yarce and Kimberly Markowski (Adam); six great-grandchildren, and his beloved younger sister Mary Ann Hubbard.

He was preceded in death by granddaughter Lauren Forstrom, parents Wendell and Anna, brothers Arnold and Otto Luknic and his loyal labrador mix “Buddy”.

Please join us for a memorial service at the Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis at 1600 Hennepin Ave. on Friday, September 26, 2025, starting at 1:30 pm. A reception and refreshments will follow. Livestream Link: https://saintjosephchapel.online.church/

“Taste the salty air.

Hear the distant gulls,

Feel the stony sand,

Touch the moving sea,

Look deep into the night…

Think of then…

By the light of now.”

- John Luknic