John James Cracraft

John Michael "Jack" Cracraft died February 21at the age of 92. He is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Marian, his brother Tom (Kathy), his seven children, Mary, William (Alexandra), Ed (Connie), Anne Ruttger (Joe), Patricia Bongaarts (Mike), John (Michelle), Jane (Dave), and nine grandchildren. He is predeceased by his parents, James and Mary, and his siblings, Jane Ganyo and Jerry Cracraft.

Jack was raised in the village of Morningside, which later became part of Edina. He attended local schools including St. Thomas the Apostle and graduated from St. Louis Park High School in 1950. He enrolled at the University of Minnesota for one quarter, then enlisted in the Army for 3 years when the Korean conflict broke out, serving in an armored reconnaissance unit.

Upon honorable discharge, Jack returned to his studies at the U in 1954, graduating with a business degree in accounting. He became a CPA and worked for the IRS for 10 years. He met his wife Marian through his sister, Jane, marrying in 1956. After a 3-year stint with Englehart Co., later part of Big Four accounting firm Deloitte, Jack operated his own accounting practice for 46 years. Jack and Marian raised their kids on the same Morningside block he grew up on, residing there for 50 years.

Jack loved simple pleasures, such as a good poker game and Rummy Royal with the kids. He was an excellent bridge player. He and Marian were members of a lively bridge club filled with close friends. Jack loved sports as a boy and kept them up in adulthood, including tennis, golf, and softball. Jack coached many of his children's teams and was an avid Gophers, Twins and Vikings fan.

Jack was a member of the St, Thomas the Apostle choir for over 50 years, and served as president of the local Lion's Club. He was a great husband and dad, a good, honest, and humble man, and we will miss him greatly.

At his 90th birthday party, Jack noted how much he loved and respected his wife and expressed his pride and love for his kids, concluding, "it has been a wonderful life."

Visitation on Wednesday March 5 from 5-7 pm at Gill Bros. Funeral Home, 58th & Lyndale and prior to the 11AM the funeral on Thursday, March 6 at St. Thomas the Apostle in SW Minneapolis. Luncheon will be served after the funeral. Burial at St. Mary's Cemetery will follow lunch. Memorial contributions suggested to St. Thomas the Apostle Church. The funeral will be livestreamed and available at: www.stthtomasmpls.org/funerals/