John Nepstad

John O. Nepstad, 60, of Clear Lake and formerly of Lake Mills, Iowa died Monday, July 4, 2011, at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City, surrounded by his loving family.
    A funeral service was held on Thursday, July 7, 2011, at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. 4th St., Clear Lake, with the Rev. Dennis Ganz officiating.  A private family inurnment will take place at a later date in Memorial Cemetery, Lake Mills.

    John Olaf Nepstad was born on Jan. 27, 1951 in Buffalo Center, Iowa the son of George and Clara (Gunderson) Nepstad.  After John’s mother passed away, his father would later remarry to Margaret Infelt and she would love and care for John as her own son. 
    John attended and graduated from Lake Mills High School with the class of 1969.  Following high school he furthered his education at Waldorf College, as well as, Iowa State University. In 1971 John was united in marriage to Renee Johnson in Thompson, Iowa.  In 1973 they would celebrate the birth of their son, Matthew.
    After college John took over his family’s floor covering business before establishing Nepstad’s True Value Hardware and Rental in Lake Mills, which he would own and operate for 25 years.  In 2003 John and his fiancé, Lori, moved to Clear Lake where he managed real estate. 
    For the last few years John had been enjoying the retired life; boating, hunting, fishing, golfing, traveling and spending time with his grandsons.  He always looked forward to his annual fishing trip to Canada with his son, Matt, his friend, David Helgeson, and their many friends that had joined them throughout the years. 
    Throughout his life John was involved in many community activities including Ducks Unlimited, the Lake Mills Public Library Board, Boy Scout Leader, member of Salem Lutheran Church in Lake Mills, Rice Lake Country Club, and the Izaak Walton League.
    Those left to cherish John’s memory are Lori Thomas of Clear Lake, with whom he shared his life; his son, Matthew (Kriss) Nepstad, Plymouth, Minn.; his two grandsons, Drew and Luke Nepstad; Lori’s children, Chris and Arianna Thomas, Mason City; his brother, Norman (Marti) Karl, Olathe, Kan.; many nieces and nephews; as well as many close friends from near and far.
    John is preceded in death by his mother, Clara; his parents, George and Margaret; his sister, Susan; and Lori’s son, Brandon.
    Should friends desire, memorials may be left to Hospice of North Iowa in John’s name.
    Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel was in charge of arrangements.