John Lilyquist

John M. Lilyquist, 74, died peacefully at home with family Monday, August 1, 2016 after a year and a half battle with lung cancer. John was born on December 9th, 1941, in Duluth MN to Marvin and Josephine (Sink) Lilyquist. He graduated from Denfeld High School in 1960 and received both his bachelor’s degree in history and English and master’s degree in business administration from UMD. John married Carol (Lhotka) in February 1966 and they raised two daughters. John worked for Minnesota Power & Light Company, holding positions in the sales, financial, and human resource departments, retiring in 1996 as training and development specialist. He taught human resource classes at UMD, WITC, and LSC.

John believed in community involvement. He was scoutmaster of Troop 53 at St. John’s Church, active in and President of the Duluth Jaycees, and President of St. Anthony’s Church Board of Education and its Parish Council. He was President of the Lake Superior Chapter of the American Society for Training and Development and active in the Duluth United Way. Before his death, he and Carol funded perpetual full tuition scholarships for a student enrolled at UMD’s Labovitz School of Business and Economics and a second year nursing student enrolled at a local community college.

John enjoyed golfing with the Red Caps at Lester Park, the Senior League at Enger, and the MP Leagues. John enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, canoeing, camping, gardening, cruising, and traveling. He and Carol had the opportunity to visit all 50 states and all 7 continents.

John was preceded in death by his grandparents and parents. John will be greatly missed by his wife Carol of 50 years, daughters Mary Jo (Tom) Krolak and Karen Lilyquist and Carol’s daughter, Sarah Kohler and husband Toby Gee; grandchildren Chase, John Thomas, Kohler, Sarah Jo, and Laura Jane; brother James (Mia) Lilyquist; Uncle Bill and Aunt Betty Lilyquist; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

The family would like to thank Dr. Friday and the infusion center at St. Mary’s Hospital for extending his life with us for over a year and Essentia Health Hospice for their support these past few weeks.

A visitation is scheduled for Friday, August 5th, 5-7pm and funeral on Saturday, August 6th, 12pm with visitation one hour prior, at Dougherty Funeral Home, 600 East Second Street, Duluth, MN 55805, 218-727-3555. All are welcome to attend and celebrate John’s life. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Damiano Center or your favorite local charity in John’s name.  Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home.