1937 – 2026
Deceased’s Full Name: Jon Owen Holmquist
Date of Birth: 1/1/1937
Location of Passing: Chaska, MN
Date of Passing: 10/16/2026
Biographical Information:
Jon Owen Holmquist, 89, flew into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior on Friday, Oct. 16. His heart simply stopped, some might suggest, as he’d expended all the joy, laughter and love once stored inside his earthly body. He’s now happily reunited with his loving wife, Sheila, who passed away in 2023.
Jon was born in Albert Lea, Minnesota, on January 1, 1937, to Clarence and Orpha Holmquist. He spent summers at the family cottages on Lake Minnetonka, spending allowance money at the Excelsior Amusement Park while playing endless games of Skee-Ball. He graduated from Albert Lea High School. He then attended college at Iowa State University for one year, working as a disc jockey and was among the first in the state to spin records from the new rock star, Elvis Presley.
Jon met the love of his life, Sheila Rose Evans, on a blind date. He swept her off her feet with exotic pizza dinners, Bridgeman’s ice cream and frequent bad jokes. They married in Stillwater, Minnesota, on June 8, 1957, and thus began an epic, nomadic life together that saw them move dozens of times throughout the Midwest due to job changes with retail companies including Woolworths, Gem Stores and Pamida. Among their many homes were Omaha, St. Louis, Kansas City, Minneapolis and points in between.
Jon’s early career corresponded with the hula hoop craze, prompting numerous trips to a warehouse 75 miles away to snatch up as many hoops as his car could hold. Customers would be waiting for his arrival back in Beloit, Wisconsin. He also contributed to the Alvin and the Chipmunks craze by stocking his shelves with the “Christmas Don’t Be Late” record in the late 1950s, selling thousands of discs to fans.
Jon also enjoyed a stint as owner of his own Hardware Hank store in Hutchinson, Minnesota, in the 1970s. He later became a “helpful hardware man” at Ace Hardware (Stillwater and Palm Desert, California), providing excellent customer service each day. At one point, Jon shifted careers and worked with his son, James, in the telemarketing industry. He then worked with his other son, Jeff, serving as an advertising sales professional at the Osceola Sun newspaper in Wisconsin, Country Messenger in Scandia and Stillwater Courier.
When Sheila and Jon became empty nesters, they moved back to Stillwater and purchased the Evans’ family home along the cliffs of the St. Croix River. They bought a houseboat and joined the Stillwater Yacht Club, making many new friends and enjoying trips along the beautiful waterway. They later lived at Sunnyside Condos before moving to the Palm Desert area in 1999.
In 2025, Jon suffered a heart attack and was placed on hospice care. His health soon improved, and he “graduated” from hospice. Late in 2025, Jon moved back to his home state of Minnesota, eventually becoming a resident of the Chaska Heights Senior Living Community, where he made new friends and enjoyed many laughs and card games with those around him.
Throughout the family’s many moves, Jon and Sheila stayed involved with their faith communities, joining church choirs and making new friends at each stop.
All his life, Jon was a long-suffering Minnesota sports fan. He eventually had the incredible chance to celebrate both Twins World Series game-seven wins in person at the Dome.
In retirement, Jon loved card games, especially bridge and cribbage. He also enjoyed golf. Sheila and Jon enjoyed traveling together, including several cruises to exotic locales. In addition, he and Sheila were movie buffs, frequently enjoying vintage films on the Turner Classic Movie channel. Known as “Candy Grandpa” to his grandchildren, Jon had an incredible sweet tooth. He always had a huge stash of candy available to share if anyone visited.
In Sun City-Palm Desert, Jon was well known for dressing up for each holiday season – Santa for Christmas, Uncle Sam for July 4, and Dracula for Halloween. He loved bringing a smile to the faces of those around him. He brought those costumes to Chaska Heights when he moved there, bringing smiles to those who witnessed the show.
Surviving Family Members:
Those from his loving family left grieving are daughter and caregiver, Julie Beth Holmquist, Montrose, Iowa; sons Jeff and Julie Holmquist, Chaska, Minnesota; and James and Lisa Holmquist, Las Vegas, Nevada; and grandchildren Mark Holmquist, St. Paul, Minnesota; Jon Holmquist, Las Vegas, Nevada; Peter Holmquist, Las Vegas, Nevada; Anna Holmquist, Chicago, Illinois; Ben Holmquist, Minneapolis, Minnesota; and helpful caregiver and grandaughter Masha Holmquist, Waconia, Minnesota. Also surviving are brother Charles and Diane Holmquist, Saratoga, California; in-laws Lynn and Tom Kearns, Donnellson, Iowa; Carol and James Slavik, Roseville, Minnesota; and Jackie Trudeau, Stillwater, Minnesota; and Dick and Pat Evans, Shoreview, Minnesota; along with many nieces and nephews and friends across the country. He will be missed by his Chaska Heights family, including close friends Lana, Bruce and Cindy.
Preceded in Death By:
Jon is preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Orpha Holmquist; loving wife, Sheila; infant son Mark; grandson Daniel Holmquist; grandson Luke Holmquist; sister and brother-in-law Phyllis and Phil Wheeler; and brother-in-law Mike Trudeau.
Funeral Service Details:
There will be a memorial service at Valley Evangelical Free Church in Chaska, Minnesota, at 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 30. A lunch will be served at the conclusion of the service. A graveside gathering will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Stillwater.
