John David Vining, 78, of Clara City, passed away peacefully with his wife by his side on December 27, 2022, at the Assistant Living Care Home in Clara City, MN. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Renville Community Center on Thursday, June 15, 2023, following the 11:00 a.m. burial in Fairview Cemetery in Renville. John’s family would like to say a special Thank You to the staff and residents of the Clara City Assisted Living Center, Carris Health CentraCare Hospice, and everyone else who has shown their love and support during this time. Arrangements are with Dirks-Blem Funeral Service, Renville, MN.
He was born in Lake City to Lawrence and Martha (Hielscher) Vining on October 14, 1944. He grew up on a farm near Lake City, MN. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Lake City and turned Lutheran in the mid 60’s. He attended a one room country school near Lake City through fourth grade and then attended and graduated from Lake City High School on June 4,1962. After graduation he joined the Army and served his country for three years spending some of his time in Korea. He was discharged from the service in June 1965. He immediately went to work at Di-Acro in Lake City until June 1971. In June he was employed at Central Research in Red Wing running a lathe and later worked as a quality control person for over 16 years until he retired on October 26, 2006. He married his first wife, Linda, on December 18, 1965, and had two children. In 1994 they were divorced.
He met his second wife, Ardus, at Spares and Pairs square dance club in Bloomington at the club’s “sweetheart” dance on February 15, 1995, and he married his “sweetheart” square dancer on July 31, 1999, in Lake City. He square danced over 25 years enjoying dancing several times a week along with several weekend dances, state and national conventions. He served as president with Ardus 11 years for Spares & Pairs and seven years for Gospel Plus. They severed as region and state officers for several years. He was a camera man and dancer on “Friendship Set to Music.” a square dance television show aired on Public Television, for over four years. John & Ardus took a cruise to Alaska and the Western Caribbean. They also covered several states enjoying the sights wherever they traveled. They lived in Shoreview until December 1, 2014, when they moved to Clara City.
He enjoyed summer and winter fishing, vegetable and flower gardening, watching and feeding the birds, eating Ardus’ baked goods, playing cards, Mexican train, country music, watching his stepchildren playing sports and square dancing. He volunteered for “Let’s Go Fishing” for a few years. He took his step-grandchildren fishing teaching them how to fish. He was a kind and thoughtful guy willing to help a friend or stranger in need and especially Ardus. His famous words were “let me do it, you might hurt yourself.” He always bragged what a good cook and baker she was. When he was in assistant living he would greet her with a big hug and kiss. You would see him reaching for her hand as they walked or sitting by her. He will be missed by many relatives and friends.
John is survived by his wife, Ardus, his son Samuel and daughter Tammy. His two stepsons: Troy (Emily) Schleski of Leander, TX and Mark (Valerie) Schleski of Renville, MN. His five grandchildren: Jennifer Peschke in Germany, Ashley and Alex Sandberg, Jennifer Hobbs and Nicholas Nelson. He also has four step-grandchildren: Jordan, Ethan, Coleton and Ambrielle Schleski. Nine great grandchildren. A brother Paul (Kitty) Vining of Canton, GA and a sister Shirley (Edward) Dick of Eagan. He is preceded in death by parents and first wife.
To share a memory or send a condolence gift, please visit the Official Obituary of John Vining hosted by Dirks-Blem Funeral Service.
John David Vining, 78, of Clara City, passed away peacefully with his wife by his side on December 27, 2022, at the Assistant Living Care Home in Clara City, MN. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Renville Community Center on Thursday, June 15, 2023, following the 11:00 a.m. burial in Fairview Cemetery in Renville. John’s family would like to say a special Thank You to the staff and residents of the Clara City Assisted Living Center, Carris Health CentraCare Hospice, and everyone else who has shown their love and support during this time. Arrangements are with Dirks-Blem Funeral Service, Renville, MN.
He was born in Lake City to Lawrence and Martha (Hielscher) Vining on October 14, 1944. He grew up on a farm near Lake City, MN. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Lake City and turned Lutheran in the mid 60’s. He attended a one room country school near Lake City through fourth grade and then attended and graduated from Lake City High School on June 4,1962. After graduation he joined the Army and served his country for three years spending some of his time in Korea. He was discharged from the service in June 1965. He immediately went to work at Di-Acro in Lake City until June 1971. In June he was employed at Central Research in Red Wing running a lathe and later worked as a quality control person for over 16 years until he retired on October 26, 2006. He married his first wife, Linda, on December 18, 1965, and had two children. In 1994 they were divorced.
He met his second wife, Ardus, at Spares and Pairs square dance club in Bloomington at the club’s “sweetheart” dance on February 15, 1995, and he married his “sweetheart” square dancer on July 31, 1999, in Lake City. He square danced over 25 years enjoying dancing several times a week along with several weekend dances, state and national conventions. He served as president with Ardus 11 years for Spares & Pairs and seven years for Gospel Plus. They severed as region and state officers for several years. He was a camera man and dancer on “Friendship Set to Music.” a square dance television show aired on Public Television, for over four years. John & Ardus took a cruise to Alaska and the Western Caribbean. They also covered several states enjoying the sights wherever they traveled. They lived in Shoreview until December 1, 2014, when they moved to Clara City.
He enjoyed summer and winter fishing, vegetable and flower gardening, watching and feeding the birds, eating Ardus’ baked goods, playing cards, Mexican train, country music, watching his stepchildren playing sports and square dancing. He volunteered for “Let’s Go Fishing” for a few years. He took his step-grandchildren fishing teaching them how to fish. He was a kind and thoughtful guy willing to help a friend or stranger in need and especially Ardus. His famous words were “let me do it, you might hurt yourself.” He always bragged what a good cook and baker she was. When he was in assistant living he would greet her with a big hug and kiss. You would see him reaching for her hand as they walked or sitting by her. He will be missed by many relatives and friends.
John is survived by his wife, Ardus, his son Samuel and daughter Tammy. His two stepsons: Troy (Emily) Schleski of Leander, TX and Mark (Valerie) Schleski of Renville, MN. His five grandchildren: Jennifer Peschke in Germany, Ashley and Alex Sandberg, Jennifer Hobbs and Nicholas Nelson. He also has four step-grandchildren: Jordan, Ethan, Coleton and Ambrielle Schleski. Nine great grandchildren. A brother Paul (Kitty) Vining of Canton, GA and a sister Shirley (Edward) Dick of Eagan. He is preceded in death by parents and first wife.
To share a memory or send a condolence gift, please visit the Official Obituary of John Vining hosted by Dirks-Blem Funeral Service.
