John "Jack" Cronquist

John A. Cronquist (Jack), age 92, passed away in Mesa, AZ, on April 29, 2017, surrounded by his family.  He was born April 20, 1925, in Erskine, MN, and moved with his family to Gilby, ND at the age of four. He proudly served in the US Army Air Corps in WWll and later attended the University of North Dakota.  John married Yvonne Smith of Hunter, ND on June 10, 1951. Describing himself as a farmer from North Dakota, he was also an active and successful investor in financial, real estate and small business ventures including the Gilby Telephone Company, Gilby Market, Vuecom (cable TV company), Frozen Potato Products (now J.R. Simplot Company), and Zhangzhou Marigold Ice Cream Company in Zhangzhou, China. He gave generously to his community and was proud that he was able to provide on-going scholarships for Midway High School and UND students. John was a member and served as church treasurer for many years at the Gilby Presbyterian Church. He served on several boards of directors, including the American Diabetes Association, Valley Bank, and GNDA.  He was commander and life member of the American Legion in Gilby, ND and belonged to the Royal Order of Jesters. John loved traveling, and he and Yvonne were fortunate to collect rich memories from their journeys around the world.  He enjoyed his later years at their residence in Grand Forks, ND, their winter home in Mesa, AZ, and their lake cabin near Erskine, MN. John was extremely personable, connected easily with people from all walks of life, loved a good party, considered the Bronze Boot his second office, and always appreciated the presence of his family and friends. He will be greatly missed. John is survived by Yvonne, his wife of 65 years, his five children: Jan Cronquist (Lee Toman), Nancy Cronquist (Kim Smaaladen), Kim Cronquist (Marie), Kent Cronquist (Carrie Boldish), and Lisa Hazan, his 11 grandchildren: Meghan Atkinson (Derek Bangs), and John Atkinson, Alex, Rachel, and Emily Cronquist, Nicholas, Dexter, Kathryn, and Hayley Cronquist, Jack and Lance Hazan and three great-grandchildren: Isaac and Katie Atkinson, and Jayden Cronquist. He is also survived by his sister, Frances MacDonald, his brother, Clark Cronquist (Harriet), sister-in-law, Floyce Cummings, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Hannah Scott Cronquist and Clark Floyd Cronquist, his sister Jean Gunness, and his son-in-law, Bruce Hazan. Visitation will be Friday, May 5 at Amundson Funeral Home from 5:00-7:00 pm followed by a 7:00 pm prayer service. Funeral services will be Saturday, May 6 at 1:30 pm at Wesley Methodist Church in Grand Forks, ND. Burial will be at the Gilby Cemetery, approximately 4:30 pm, following the funeral reception. Memorials may be given to the charity of your choice.