Jack Pettit

Jack S. Pettit was born December 19, 1925 in Wabash, IN. He was raised and schooled in Wabash. In December 1943 Jack entered the US Navy. During World War II he served at the Naval Air Stations in Great Lakes, IL and Minneapolis, MN. While stationed in Minneapolis Jack met Lorraine Paulson. On April 2, 1946 Jack and Lorraine were united in marriage. The couple made their home in Wabash where they were blessed with one child, Annette. In 1953 Jack and his family moved to Minneapolis where he worked as a salesman for Dennison Windows. Jack went to work for Ma Bell as a custodian working his way to telephone line troubleshooter. Jack retired in 1985. A few years layer Jack and Lorraine moved to Alexandria, MN. Shortly after Lorraine?s death in 1991 it was discovered that Jack had had a stroke and his health slowly declined. After living with his daughter for four years Jack moved to the Glenwood Retirement Home in Glenwood, MN in 2003. In his earlier years Jack enjoyed racing midget racecars in Wabash. Jack?s country was important to him; he was a very patriotic man. Jack took an avid interest in War Birds; he could identify and tell you the specifications on most any World War II aircraft. Jack also enjoyed fishing, summer and winter, and doing woodworking. Mostly Jack enjoyed visiting with his neighbors; he would hop on his riding lawn mower and tour the neighborhood visiting with anyone he could. Jack was a member of the Masons. On Saturday, March 22, 2008 Jack died at the age of eighty-two years. His wife, Lorraine, and one brother, Rodney Pettit, preceded him in death. Jack is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Annette & Terry Pierce of Rapid City, SD; one grandson, Aaron Wherley of Minneapolis; and one sister, Mary of Indiana. A funeral service was held Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria. Rev. Jim Gronewold officiated. Kim Byrne provided music. Interment was in Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis. Arrangements were with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria.