John A. Wojtysiak, 85, Kettle River, died Thursday, November 27, 2025 in Moose Lake Village.  He was born on March 30, 1940 in Silver Twp., Carlton County to Joseph and Francis Wojtysiak.  John attended Moose Lake High School graduating in 1958.  He worked various jobs in the area until 1963 when he entered the United States Army.  John proudly served his country and was stationed in Germany.  He was Honorably Discharged in 1965.  John worked at Conwed in Cloquet.  On May 14, 1966, John married Amanda Warpula in Moose Lake.  They lived outside Moose Lake and later in Kettle River.  In 1974, John began a career as a lineman for REA and retired from Lake Country Power in 2002.  After retirement, he worked for a short time at General Andrews Nursery in Willow River.  John was very active in Kettle River and served as Constable, Fire Chief, and Mayor.  He was honored as Pa Kettle for the Ma & Pa Kettle Days.  John was a member of the Kettle River American Legion, Carlton VFW and its Honor Guard, and was a Charter Member of the American Vets.  He loved gardening, fishing, hunting, and the MN Vikings.

John is preceded in death by his wife, Amanda in 2015; parents: Joseph and Francis Wojtysiak; siblings: Bob Wojtysiak, Joe Wojtysiak, and Mary Sturgeleski; In-Laws: Sulo Warpula, Alvin Warpula, Larry Warpula, Earl Warpula, Helmi Maki, and Henry Jurek.

He will be lovingly remembered by three children: Lisa (Tim) Jurek; John Wojtysiak; and Gwen Bandel; five grandchildren: Hannah (Tom) Lukken, Heidi (Ken) Bentley, Helen Jurek, Alex Jurek, and Brandi (Ayden) Nelson; three great grandchildren: Kenneth, Kindred, and Evelyn; three siblings: Josie Jurek, Dorothy Mullenix, and Bernie (Bruce Swang) Howden; two sisters-in-law: Carol Warpula and Joyce Warpula; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

A Gathering of Family and Friends will be from 10 am until the 11 am Memorial Service on Friday, December 5, 2025 in Hamlin-Hansen-Kosloski Funeral Home, Moose Lake.  Military Honors will follow the service outside the funeral home.  Inurnment will follow in Beaver Cemetery, Beaver Twp.  Lunch will be at the Star Club.

Arrangements by Hamlin-Hansen-Kosloski Funeral Home, Moose Lake.