Meier, John S. When John S. Meier died on June 4, 2021, the world lost a very good man. He left behind a lifetime of great memories and no enemies. He knew how to make and keep friends and to live life without regrets. It is a stunning achievement. John was born in Minneapolis on April 29, 1925 to Milo and Manila Meier. Following graduation from Southwest High, he entered the Navy during the height of World War II. After a number of different postings at various colleges for training, in 1946 he finished his Navy career in Honolulu. He returned to Minneapolis and began building his life. He had an exceptional talent for making long- lasting friendships and was a natural salesman - his lifelong occupation. He married Patricia Ann Harper and started a family that included two sons, Tom and Steve, and his daughter Rebecca. He eventually became a manufacturers rep for companies in the millwork and building materials industry and began Meier Sales Company. He built a cabin on Trout Lake in Manhattan Beach and established the family's northwoods tradition. He was married a second time to Nell Schnedler and retired at 60 to enjoy everything he loved: reading, fishing, biking, hunting, playing cards, riding his bike, and being social. Together, John and Nell established a winter home in Ft. Myers, Florida, and had a huge circle of friends. During the summer, they lived on Trout Lake in his beloved cabin with the beautiful view. Later they moved nearby to a cabin on Mitchell Lake in Fifty Lakes. With the ability to fish at a moment's notice, Nell's incredible cooking, and loads of leisure time, this was John's paradise. After his wife Nell passed away five years ago, John began a new chapter in his life as a bachelor. He moved into a lovely apartment at Vernon Terrace and, at 90, lived alone for the first time in decades. He learned how to do new things like laundry (excelled at it) and some cooking. He loved weekend brunch with family providing there was no wait for a table and the food was delivered promptly. He made sure he supported the state lottery with frequent purchases. (A scratch-off win made his day.) He still loved cars and had fond memories of the 58 cars he'd owned in his lifetime. Even after he was no longer able to drive, he kept a snappy car in the garage and loved to be driven around in it. He continued to be a voracious reader and loved the library. Surrounded with social opportunities, he met new people and made new friends. John was preceded in death by his son Steve, his parents, his sister Mary Whitaker Jenter, Patricia Meier, and Nell Meier. He is survived by his son Tom and wife Marcia, his daughter Rebecca, his nephew John Whitaker (Colorado), and grandsons Marcus Meier and Milo Meier. John was blessed with the loving friendship of David and Cathy Schnedler. Throughout his later years, he received thoughtful, considerate medical care from Dr. Daniel Dunn of Edina Family Clinic, Dr. Whitney Tope, and The Minneapolis Heart Institute. During the last weeks of his life, Mt. Olivet Home and the Grace Hospice team provided a peaceful transition. The family is grateful for every act of kindness. A service will be planned for family and friends in the future. Donations can be made to the National Loon Center, PO Box 642, Crosslake, MN 56442.
nationallooncenter.org
