John F. Just Sr.

Lifetime Mankato area resident John Francis Just, Sr., died on November 8, 2021 at Mayo Clinic Health System Hospital in Mankato. 

A private memorial service will be held with the Rev. Michelle Hargrave officiating.  Burial will be at St. John Cemetery, Rapidan MN.  Northview-North Mankato Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.  Memorials are preferred to the donor’s choice. 

John was born October 17, 1933, to Fred and Bunny Just in Mankato, and attended Mankato schools, graduating from Mankato High in 1951, and Mankato Teachers College in 1955 and 1965.  John married Mary Marie Elford on July 31, 1954, at Centenary Church.  He served in the U.S. Navy from 1955 to 1957 and returned to teach and coach in Garden City for one year, followed by 20 years at North Mankato Junior High, and 10 years at both Mankato West and East High Schools. In retirement, John served as a regular volunteer with the MSU International Festival, Immanuel-Saint Joseph’s Hospice, Oaklawn Health Care Center, Summit Center, Greater Mankato Area United Way and Centenary Church.  He was exceptional in his active participation with his grandchildren.

John is survived by son, John Just Jr (Carmen Christy); daughter, Kristin Braun (Mark) and son, Thomas Just (Teri); plus nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.  He is also survived by sister, Elizabeth Just Vosbeck (Bill) of Alexandria, VA, and several nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his wife, Mary in 1987; his parents; and his brother, Fred Just Jr and sister-in-law, Jane.  

John wrote: “Thank you to my children and grandkids for helping to fill in my loneliness these past 34 years after Grandma Mary died!  I loved you all for that, equally as much as I continued my love for Mary after her death.”