John Sidney Hauser, age 87, of Minneapolis, formerly of Harmony and Caledonia, Minn., passed away April 28, 2024, at Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minn.
John was born April 11, 1937, in Caledonia, to Hazel Hauser. He was a graduate of Caledonia High School, and attended Winona State College, where he met his future wife, Judy Newman. They had four children and later divorced. In the 1970s he owned and operated Big John’s Drive-in in Caledonia. In the late 1990s he met Kris Benson. Together they shared 23 years of companionship and travel adventures, until her passing in December 2020. Their favorite pastime was to visit small meat markets and grocery stores where they enjoyed and loved to purchase specialty meats and cheeses and share them with his children and grandchildren at family gatherings. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Airforce, Army and Air National Guard, where he served in Honduras, Panama and Azores. He retired as a Master Sergeant after 35 years. He was active in the VFW and served as commander. After retiring from being an electronic technician, he volunteered, taking veterans to their various appointments.
He loved his family and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and a good meal! He loved to cook for his family and friends and for many years enjoyed hosting an annual family reunion for all his relatives to bring everyone together!
He is survived by his daughter Karen Stenberg, son Brett Hauser, grandchildren Eric (Miranda) Hauser, Stephanie (Brandon) Holcomb, Heather Stenberg and Elijah Hauser; numerous great-grandchildren, and siblings Sandy (Paul) Tollesrud, Jan Burroughs and Sylvan (Elaine) Hauser.
He was preceded in death by his mother, a daughter, Susan Hauser; a son, Peter Hauser and son-in-law John Stenberg.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, May 11, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Caledonia. Father Andrew Vogel will officiate.
Military Honors will be given at the church. A luncheon will follow, then burial will be in Stone Church Cemetery, Houston, Minn. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to a veterans organization such as Wounded Warriors.
The funeral will be livestreamed on St. Mary’s, Caledonia, Facebook page.
McCormick Funeral Home, Caledonia, is assisting the family. Online condolences may be given at mccormickfuneralhome.net.