John "Jack" Joseph Grassl

John “Jack” Grassl, 86, of Mosinee, died peacefully on Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, at home surrounded by family.

He was born April 17, 1938, the son of the late Robert and Lula (Krieg) Grassl. Jack married the love of his life- Mary “Jean” Koback on Nov. 28, 1959, she survives.

Jack served with the Mosinee Army National Guard from 1955-1964. Receiving a certificate of Activated Duty during the Berlin Crisis in 1962, he was honorably discharged as a Sergeant E-6.

He earned an Associate Degree in Drafting and worked for Wausau Ironworks. In 1961 he started at Mosinee Paper Mill as a ‘spare-hand’, working his way to Journey Machinist retiring after 41 years.

Family was his priority. He was a hardworking man – but made time to create memories for all. He loved sharing the simple joys of fishing bowling, solitaire and cribbage with his kids and grandkids. His love of nature had him rescuing baby birds & baby squirrels. He may also be the inventor of ‘Adopt A Highway’, as he took his kids, and sometimes neighbor kids down to the corner of B & KK to pick up cans and litter from the roadside & ditches. In his retirement years, he could be seen biking along this same stretch, still collecting cans. He also enjoyed being a teacher’s aide at Mosinee Elementary School and volunteering for Ducks Unlimited.

He was proud to be in the Knights of Columbus, where he served many years as treasurer, enjoyed serving up KC Steak Fries, selling Tootsie Rolls, rounding up sponsors, and creating a faithful list of raffle-ticket buyers.

He was an avid Packer & Brewer fan, and watched every game he could. He could figure out a way to fix ANYTHING, and you could always count on him to lend a helping hand. 

He is probably most well-known and loved for being Santa Claus to generations of families in the Mosinee Area. Each year, he made his list, checked it twice – and had the best time sharing Christmas spirit in private homes, Paper Mill Christmas parties, Cedar Creek Mall, and even St. Nicholas at St. Paul’s Church.

His faith in God got him through all times, and he would say ‘no use worrying, just pray and give it all to God’. We will miss his smile and quick wit.

Survivors, besides his wife, Jean, include his daughters; Michelle (Bud) Terrio, Wittenberg, Mary Ann (Andy) Hawro, Arizona, and Melissa Grassl, Mosinee; grandchildren; Nick, Marcel, Sarah, John, Jeff, Gina, Jacob, Toni, Tia, Zion, Alex, Toban, Dakotah, Ginny, Charlie, Demi, Cody & Zach. Great-grandchildren; Dylan, Daniel, Ayden, Jaxson, Dekyn, Owen, Ella, Charllee, Jacob, Greyson, Ashton, CharLee Rose, Marley, Ezra, Aria, Aebrin, Monique, Damien, Julaine, Cameron, Kriss, Calie, Chris, Kaleb and Faith. A brother, Micky (Nancy) Grassl, and a sister, Joyce Creske, as well as many nieces and nephews. Godchildren; Mary Traynor, Cindy Schwartz, Patty Stark & Nick Bruyere. And ‘adopted son’ – Brad Jacobson.

Besides his parents, Jack was preceded in death by his two sons, John and Jeff Grassl, a granddaughter Hayley Mae, and a great-granddaughter Sophia Jean, his sisters Virjean Grzadzielewski, and Gloria Dinon.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m., Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, at St. Paul Catholic Church, Mosinee. The Rev. Aaron Becker will officiate. The family will receive friends from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service, all at the church. Beste Funeral Home, Mosinee is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences can be made at www.bestefh.com.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Jack’s name can be directed to the Ronald McDonald House, Covenant House, and the USO.