Jack Richard McKagan

of Bloomington, formerly of Proctor, MN, died on April 1^st, 2019 at the Minnesota Masonic Home in Bloomington, with his loving family at his side after a long and courageous battle with multiple sclerosis. Jack was born May 3, 1940 in Duluth, MN to Benjamin and Esther (Anderson) McKagan. He and his three sisters were raised in a small rural home outside Proctor. Jack graduated from Proctor High School in 1958. In June of 1963, Jack married “the love of his life” Sandra Erickson, a West Duluth girl. Together they made their home in Proctor, raising their two sons John and Richard. Jack worked at Brendagen’s 66 Service, Proctor Builder’s Supply and the Proctor School District. Jack drove for Proctor Schools for many years, eventually becoming the district’s Supervisor of Transportation. He ended his career with the same position for the Superior, WI school district, retiring in 1993. He was a member of Euclid Masonic Lodge #198 AF & AM in Duluth and Past Patron of Trinity, Woodland and Proctor Chapters, OES. Jack enjoyed working and building trusted relationships with his co-workers, supervisors, and employees. Jack also enjoyed many years of service in Masonic organizations. Together with his wife Sandra, Jack devoted many hours of service of service to others, including the United Methodist Church, to which he was a past member in West Duluth, Proctor, and Aitkin. His nickname to many young people was always “Uncle Jack.” His love for children was most evident by his loving and giving relationships with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He was a storyteller; many of which taught a lifetime of lessons to those who listened. In 2001 Jack and Sandra realized their lifelong dream; retiring to a home on Mille Lacs Lake. When both Jack’s multiple sclerosis and Sandra’s struggle with dementia intensified in 2013, he and Sandra moved to the Minnesota Masonic Home in Bloomington. Until the end, Jack’s glass was always half full. His eternal optimism was contagious. His ever present smile and positive outlook was an inspiration to all who knew him.

Jack will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 55 years, Sandra; his sons, John (Karen) McKagan of Detroit Lakes and Richard (Michelle) McKagan of Bloomington; grandchildren, Hannah McKagan (Bryan) of Detroit Lakes and Timothy McKagan (Sami) of Duluth; great-grandchildren Hunter and Abby Friesen of Detroit Lakes; sisters, Lois Vanderscheuren of Proctor and Benita Liljegren of Esko; along with many nieces and nephews, both by blood and by love. Many thanks to his loving caregivers and friends from the Minnesota Masonic Home.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Benjamin and Esther McKagan, and sister Jeanne Wagner.

Memorial service, 12:30 PM, Sunday, April 7, 2019 with a visitation one hour before at the Minnesota Masonic Home Chapel, 11501 Masonic Home Dr., Bloomington.

Memorials preferred to the MS Society of Minnesota.