John D. Huerkamp

John D. Huerkamp, age 64, of Alexandria, MN, passed away on Thursday, April 9, 2020 at home under the care of Hospice. Once the existing COVID-19 pandemic restrictions are lifted, the family anticipates that a service celebrating John’s life will be held later in the summer. John will be inurned in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery at Sedan, near his parents. Arrangements are with the Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home of Glenwood.

John D. Huerkamp, the son of Alvin George and Patricia (Blaskowski) Huerkamp, was born on July 7, 1955 in Sauk Centre, Minnesota. John was baptized at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Sedan, where he was a member. He lived with his family on their farm outside of Sedan until the age of 7, when he began receiving institutionalized care necessitated by a congenital intellectual disability.

Each summer while his parents were alive and living on the farm, John would return for a two week vacation where he enjoyed fishing, feeding the animals, baling hay and mowing lawn. He was intrigued by power tools and equipment such as lawnmowers and tractors – basically anything with a motor. His constant moving, smiling and pointing told everyone he was enjoying his time with family. John always wore caps and loved getting them as gifts. He would declare himself “handsome” when trying them on. He was especially fond of anything associated with John Deere.  

John lived at different group homes and State hospital facilities over the years before moving to a residential home in Alexandria operated by Prairie Community Services, where he was very happy and received excellent care. He was well-liked, kind-hearted and fun-loving. John will be missed by his family, housemates and staff at his residence.

He is survived by four sisters, Rose (Gene) Martin, Maxine (Gary) Jacobson, Diane (Andrew) Hite, Carol (Michael) Kohlman; and four brothers Kenneth, Gerald (Margie), Robert and William.  He also leaves behind lots of nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. 

John was preceded in death by his parents and a nephew, David Gerald Huerkamp. 

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