John Stevens

Obituary of John Stevens A Memorial Service for Jack will be held at Faith Lutheran Church in Forest Lake, Minnesota, at 2:30 pm, Sunday February 20, 2011.HoughtonJohn "Jack" Stevens, 81, passed peacefully from this life on Thursday, February 10, 2011 at his home for the past seven years - Houghton County Medical Care Facility in Hancock, Michigan.Born September 2, 1929 to John H. and Florence (Brimacombe) Stevens in Calumet, Jack moved with his parents to Houghton where he went to school, married Jean Turja on June 11, 1949, and eventually bought and operated his father's business, Superior Service Garage in Houghton for over 50 years. Jack's adult life until he retired was involved with the business, evolving from an authorized Buick repair garage to selling and servicing outboard motors, boats, snowmobiles, chainsaws and lawnmowers.Well-known in the community, Jack served on the charter commission for the formation of the City of Houghton. Jack and his mother were charter members of the Houghton High School Alumni Association, hosting many of the all-school reunion picnics at his lake home "Fort Stevens." His love of the area moved him to help form the Keweenaw Tourism Council. Snowmobilers recognized him when the Jack Stevens Trail was dedicated in his honor and he received the "Most Valuable Snowmobiler" award in 1982 from the International Snowmobile Congress. Locally and in the snowmobile world, Jack was known as "Mr. Ski-Doo." Jack was a lifetime member of Copper Country Lodge #135 F.&A.M. He was also a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason and a member of the Ahmed Shriners in Marquette.Jack's favorite pastime was entertaining friends, spending time with his grandkids and using the phone to maintain and nurture his friendships near and far.Jack was preceded in death by his wife Jean Turja Stevens in 1991. He is survived by daughters Jill (Bill) Somrock (Forest Lake, Minnesota), Joan (Mike) Haehnel (Stacy, Minnesota) and Julie (Gary) Beck (Chassell); 8 grandchildren - Jason and Linde Jury; Lynn, Craig, Christy and Connie Haehnel; Helmi and Liisa Beck; 5 great-grandchildren - Tyler and Ryan Mattson, Kyle and Ethan Christensen, Logan Barker; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Margaret and Donald Egerer and sister-in-law Betty Turja; nephew Scott Egerer and nieces Anne Berg and Cheryl Turja; and many friends and relatives.Funeral Services for Jack will be held 11 am Saturday February 26, 2011, at the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church of Hancock with Licensed Lay Minister Clay Hilman and Rev. Jimalee Jones to officiate. Spring burial will be in the Forest Hill Cemetery of Houghton.Friends may call on Friday February 25, 2011, from 4 to 8 pm at the Memorial Chapel Funeral Home in Hancock and on Saturday February 26, 2011 from 10 am until time of services at the church. Copper Country Lodge #135 F. & A.M. will hold a service 7:30 Friday evening at the Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Hancock.To view Jack's obituary or to send condolences to the family please visit www.memorialchapel.net.In lieu of other expressions of sympathy the family suggests that memorials be given to Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly, Houghton High School Alumni Association or Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Memorial of John "Jack" Stevens.The Memorial Chapel Funeral Home of Hancock has been assisting the family with the arrangements.Service Information To send flowers to the family of John Stevens, please visit Tribute Store