John Roger Bataglia

John “Jack” Roger Bataglia, age 81, of Cannon Falls, Minnesota, passed away unexpectedly on May 14, 2025.

He was born on June 21, 1943, in St. Paul, Minnesota, to George and Dorothy (Adams) Bataglia.

Jack graduated from St. Paul Monroe High School and went on to attend and later teach at St. Paul Technical Vocational Institute. He proudly served his country in the United States Navy.

Born and raised in St. Paul, Jack met and married Karen Tetting, a girl who lived across the alley on St. Paul’s West End. Together they raised four children: Tom, Dawn, Jack, and Suzette.

Jack was a working man. He taught his children the value of a strong work ethic, never shirking responsibility or backing down from a challenge. His hands, up until the day he died, bore the callouses, cuts, and broken nails of a life spent in honest labor.

After years in St. Paul, Jack and Karen moved their family to Owatonna so Jack could take a foreman position and advance his career. After seven years there, they moved to their home of over 40 years on Lake Byllesby in Cannon Falls—Jack’s happy place. He rose early each morning to sit on the porch drink coffee and smoking “heaters,” quietly taking in the waves, blowing snow, or the birds flying by. He especially loved watching the orioles, ducks, geese, and bald eagles.

His grandkids and great-grandkids looked forward to Papa Jack’s legendary Easter egg hunts, with plastic eggs filled with candy or money. Some of the more cleverly hidden eggs would be discovered weeks—or even months—later.

Grandkids fondly remember learning to fish, rides on his lawnmower or pontoon and his infectious deep laugh. He made the best breakfasts of bacon, eggs, and pancakes. Homemade popcorn in his special pan was a favorite treat.

He was known to pretend to crack an egg on your head, simulating the runny egg by running his fingers through your hair. He would play “horsey” by bouncing kids on his leg.

Jack was most comfortable in a flannel shirt and trucker cap, with a cold Schmitty in one hand and a cigarette in the other. He usually drank his beer from a can or bottle, but occasionally enjoyed it in a frosted mug from the freezer—sometimes with a pinch of salt. On occasion, he may have even allowed one of his kids a sip.

His family, friends and neighbors benefitted from the bounty of his garden, and he was quick to offer gardening advice when asked.

Jack maintained proper telephone etiquette, always identifying himself, even if you knew it was him on the line. His flip phone was good enough because all he needed it for was to place and take calls. No text messaging, fancy apps, or photos were needed.

Following in his father’s footsteps, Jack worked his entire career in gear manufacturing—starting with cutting gears and advancing into sales and management. He served as a union shop steward, earning the respect of the workers when he later moved into management, up to and including Chief Operating Officer and company President. While working in sales, he traveled extensively throughout the Upper Midwest, proudly logging more than 350,000 miles on his little blue Ford Escort. At labor agreement negotiating time, his colleagues knew they couldn’t get away with anything extra, but they also knew he would be fair—because even with a management title, he was one of them.

In retirement, Jack returned to hands-on work by opening his own one-man gear shop, where customers affectionately called him “Magic Jack” for his unmatched skill—able to cut gears no one else could. He had knowledge and skill that are now lost—and cannot be replaced.

Jack loved hunting ducks and deer with his sons, Tom and Jack, and his lifelong friends Les, Denny, Butch, Dale, and the late Kenny Pream. Their annual trips to the deer shack included Jack staying back one day to prepare a full Thanksgiving turkey dinner with mashed potatoes, gravy, his famous stuffing, and cranberries for the other hunters when they returned from the woods.

At a young age, the boys recall being awakened before they were ready to get up to go duck hunting—something that continued well into adulthood. Jack was a good shot when he was younger, but as he got older, he mostly just enjoyed being out with his sons and his friends, taking in nature.

Family memories include summer weekends at in-laws George and Marilyn (Bookie) Novak’s cabin—fishing during the day and gathering around the bonfire at night, drinking Pfeiffer or Schmidt’s and singing along to Kris Kristofferson’s The Silver Tongued Devil and I or other favorite tunes.

Countless hours were spent playing cribbage. Each game was played for two bits. Jack delighted in hearing the quarter hit the table when he won—or two quarters if he skunked you. Every hand started with, “I got a lousy…” whether it held two points or sixteen. He had his own unique way of counting a double-double run—technically wrong, but universally accepted.

One habit that used to annoy Karen—but that she will now miss—was how Jack would come home from work and immediately turn on all the lights and the TV, sometimes before even saying a word.

Karen and the entire family extend heartfelt thanks to the doctors, nurses, physician assistants, and staff at the Minneapolis VA Hospital for many years of excellent care.

Jack Bataglia was preceded in death by his parents, George and Dorothy Bataglia.

He is survived by Karen, his wife of 61 years; his children Tom (Karen Wood) Bataglia, Dawn (Tony) Jurgens, Jack Bataglia, and Suzette (Brett) Olson; his grandchildren Krista (Josh) Nissen, Katie Bataglia (fiancé Dan Lofgren), Alexa (Tony) Veches, Tori (Tyler) Huebsch, Cayden and Claire Olson; and great-grandchildren Charline and Walker Veches, Atley Nissen, and baby Nissen on the way; brother Gary (Mary Clare) Bataglia and sister Linda Bataglia (Jack Blank); and many nieces, nephews, and their extended families.

Honorary pallbearers will be Jack and Karen’s grandchildren: Krista, Katie, Alexa, Tori, Cayden, and Claire.

A Memorial Service for Jack will be held at 12 p.m. Tuesday, July 1, 2025 at Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel, Hastings with Pastor Jim Bzoskie of Cornerstone Bible Church of Hastings officiating. Family and friends are cordially invited to a visitation from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home.

Immediately following the service, interment will take place at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis.

Arrangements are being handled by Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel in Hastings.