John "Jack" A. Calkins

John “Jack” A. Calkins, 76, of Chippewa Falls, died Tuesday, December 12, 2023, at River Pines Nursing and Rehabilitation in Altoona, WI, under the care of St. Croix Hospice, with his family by his side.

On March 28, 1947, Jack was born to Katherine (Bowe) and Samuel Calkins in Chippewa Falls. He attended Notre Dame Grade School and graduated from McDonell High School and UW Stout. After graduating from Stout, Jack began a long successful career with Smead Manufacturing in Hastings, MN.

A gifted athlete all of his life, Jack discovered his passion in scuba diving. His love of diving and adventure took him all over the world, many of these trips with his good friends and dive buddies, Steve and Becky Hoppert. Jack also enjoyed riding his Harley and driving through Irvine Park looking at all the animals.

Jack is survived by his brothers, Sam (Maria) Calkins and Richard Calkins (Rick Hein); special friend, Brigid Horstman all of Chippewa Falls; along with many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Faye Calkins, Rose Mary Calkins, Marjorie Perrenoud, and Catherine Calkins; and brothers, Mark, Bruce, Andrew “Bud”, Dan, and Frank Calkins.

The family would like to thank St. Croix Hospice and River Pines for their care and compassion. A special thank you to Dawn Prinsen, who started as a caregiver and became family. Thank you, Dawn, for everything you did. Last, but certainly not least, we would like to thank Jim Lowe for his unfaltering friendship and stories that brought Jack so much joy. He couldn’t have asked for a better lifelong friend.

The funeral service will be held at 3 p.m., Friday, December 15, at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel with a visitation two hours prior to the service. Interment will be at a later date in Hope Catholic Cemetery, Chippewa Falls.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Jacks honor may be designated to Irvine Park.