John Antoine Ruzicka, Jr.

John Antoine Ruzicka Jr. passed away at Sanford Bemidji Medical Center on Wednesday, August 20 2025 surrounded by family.

Memorial service will be held at St. John’s Catholic Church in Nebish on Monday, August 25 at 1 PM. Visitation will be one hour prior. 

John was born to John and Beverly (Lakin) Ruzicka Sr. on May 24, 1955 in Bemidji, Minnesota. He grew up in Nebish Minnesota and lived there all his life. He attended Nebish school until fourth grade then Blackduck School where he later served on the board. After high school he went to Bemidji Technical College for Farm Management. He also worked as a carpenter on the range and in the surrounding Bemidji area. 

In 1977 he married his high school sweetheart Kathy Sunell. They had two children. During this time he took over the family farm where he remained until he passed. 

He is survived by wife Kathy, son Justin (Laura) Ruzicka, daughter Megan (Travis) Johnson and grandchildren, Hannah, Brandon, Peyton, Elise, Blake, Charlotte (Ruzicka) Mallory and Larkin (Johnson), mother Beverly Ruzicka, sisters Deborah Larsen, Linda Ruzicka, Rita (Mike) Andree, Petsy Ruzicka, Judy Parker, Gerald (Nichole) Ruzicka, and numerous nieces and nephews.

John is preceded in death by his father John Ruzicka Sr., brother Patrick Ruzicka, and brothers-in-law, Jeff Larson and Tim Parker.

In his free time, John enjoyed hunting, gardening, spearing fish, telling stories and playing cards with his family. He loved spending time with his kids, especially attending their school activities. He watched westerns and was a lifelong frustrated Vikings fan. John was passionate about his land. He would load his friends, family and grandchildren in the pickup to take drives through the woods. 

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