Obituary for John Joseph Stransky MD
John Joseph Stransky was born on November 8, 1923 to Theodore J. and Mary A. Stransky in Owatonna, Minnesota. He grew up in the communities of Owatonna, St. James and St. Paul, MN where he attended school. In 1947 John graduated from the University of Minnesota where he obtained his Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Medicine and Medical Doctor degree.
On September 8, 1947 he married Alice "Buzz" Fallon in Owatonna, MN. John joined the United States Navy Reserves from 1942-1947. He entered the United States Air Force and was a flight surgeon and general surgeon. He was stationed at Ellsworth AFB, Albany, Georgia AFB, Godman AFB in Ft. Knox, TN and Shaw AFB in South Carolina. He was honorably discharged in 1953. John and Buzz lived in Rochester for one year before moving to Watertown where he was employed at Brown Clinic in Family Practice and was also a general surgeon.
John received many awards and honors including, Alpha Omega Alpha, Honorary Medical Society of the University of MN, President of the SD State Medical Association from 1967-1968, Clinical Assistant Professor, USD School of Medicine from 1977-1982, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Community and Family Medicine, USD School of Medicine from 1982-1997, Bush Medical Fellowship from the Bush Foundation in MN from 1985-1987, Rotary Paul Harris Fellow in 1987. John was awarded SD Family Doctor of the year Award in 1987 by SDAFP, Distinguished Service Award by the SD Medical Association in 1988, and in 1991 John was the recipient of the first award given for outstanding commitment to hospice care from the SD Hospice Organization.
John was a founding member of Holy Name Parish and had served on the Finance Advisory Committee for several years. He was also a Parish Council member, Eucharistic minister, lector, greeter and participated in Bible studies.
He was one of three incorporators for Lake Region Hospice in Watertown, Medical Advisor for Lake Region Hospice, and Medical Director at Prairie Lakes Hospice in Watertown. Beginning in 1997 John became a volunteer for Prairie Lakes Hospice, Habitat for Humanity: Board member and volunteer.
John enjoyed flying and had a SEL commercial pilot's license. His hobbies were woodworking, duck carving, and bird watching. He also enjoyed fishing and hunting, boating, sailing, gardening, playing tennis and cross country skiing.
John passed away at the age of 99 on Monday, November 14, 2022 in Watertown.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, November 22, 2022 at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church in Watertown with Father John Fischer as celebrant.
Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m., with a prayer service at 7 p.m., on Monday, November 21, 2022 at Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel in Watertown.
Burial will be at St. Mary's Cemetery, Watertown, SD. Military Honors will be conducted by the Ellsworth Air Force Base Military Funeral Honor Guard.
Honorary groups will be the Brown Clinic Crew, Prairie Lakes Hospice/Home Health Crew and all John's Daily Mass Friends.
Pallbearers will be John's grandchildren.
John's wishes for memorial designations be made to Holy Name Parish or Prairie Lakes Hospice, (for Continuing Medical Education expenses for personnel).
Grateful for having shared his life are his children, Sally Stransky of Columbia Falls, MT, Jody (David) Blair of Tualatin, OR, Mary Pat (Roy) Wilson of Lincoln, NE, Jane (Steve) Olson and Katie Stransky all of Watertown; 14 grandchildren; and 8 great-grandchildren.
John was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Buzz on July 5, 2008; and his siblings, Ted, Rose and George.
Arrangements by Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel, www.wightandcomes.com
On September 8, 1947 he married Alice "Buzz" Fallon in Owatonna, MN. John joined the United States Navy Reserves from 1942-1947. He entered the United States Air Force and was a flight surgeon and general surgeon. He was stationed at Ellsworth AFB, Albany, Georgia AFB, Godman AFB in Ft. Knox, TN and Shaw AFB in South Carolina. He was honorably discharged in 1953. John and Buzz lived in Rochester for one year before moving to Watertown where he was employed at Brown Clinic in Family Practice and was also a general surgeon.
John received many awards and honors including, Alpha Omega Alpha, Honorary Medical Society of the University of MN, President of the SD State Medical Association from 1967-1968, Clinical Assistant Professor, USD School of Medicine from 1977-1982, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Community and Family Medicine, USD School of Medicine from 1982-1997, Bush Medical Fellowship from the Bush Foundation in MN from 1985-1987, Rotary Paul Harris Fellow in 1987. John was awarded SD Family Doctor of the year Award in 1987 by SDAFP, Distinguished Service Award by the SD Medical Association in 1988, and in 1991 John was the recipient of the first award given for outstanding commitment to hospice care from the SD Hospice Organization.
John was a founding member of Holy Name Parish and had served on the Finance Advisory Committee for several years. He was also a Parish Council member, Eucharistic minister, lector, greeter and participated in Bible studies.
He was one of three incorporators for Lake Region Hospice in Watertown, Medical Advisor for Lake Region Hospice, and Medical Director at Prairie Lakes Hospice in Watertown. Beginning in 1997 John became a volunteer for Prairie Lakes Hospice, Habitat for Humanity: Board member and volunteer.
John enjoyed flying and had a SEL commercial pilot's license. His hobbies were woodworking, duck carving, and bird watching. He also enjoyed fishing and hunting, boating, sailing, gardening, playing tennis and cross country skiing.
John passed away at the age of 99 on Monday, November 14, 2022 in Watertown.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, November 22, 2022 at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church in Watertown with Father John Fischer as celebrant.
Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m., with a prayer service at 7 p.m., on Monday, November 21, 2022 at Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel in Watertown.
Burial will be at St. Mary's Cemetery, Watertown, SD. Military Honors will be conducted by the Ellsworth Air Force Base Military Funeral Honor Guard.
Honorary groups will be the Brown Clinic Crew, Prairie Lakes Hospice/Home Health Crew and all John's Daily Mass Friends.
Pallbearers will be John's grandchildren.
John's wishes for memorial designations be made to Holy Name Parish or Prairie Lakes Hospice, (for Continuing Medical Education expenses for personnel).
Grateful for having shared his life are his children, Sally Stransky of Columbia Falls, MT, Jody (David) Blair of Tualatin, OR, Mary Pat (Roy) Wilson of Lincoln, NE, Jane (Steve) Olson and Katie Stransky all of Watertown; 14 grandchildren; and 8 great-grandchildren.
John was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Buzz on July 5, 2008; and his siblings, Ted, Rose and George.
Arrangements by Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel, www.wightandcomes.com