John Greenwell

John Manning Greenwell, age 68 of Cottage Grove, passed away Friday, November 7, 2014 at his home surrounded by family.

Funeral service will be 11:00 am, Wednesday, November 12, 2014 at Cottage Grove United Church of Christ. Visitation will be 4:00-8:00 pm, Tuesday, November 11, 2014 at Kok Funeral Home, St. Paul Park Chapel, 1201 Portland Ave, and also for one hour prior to the service on Wednesday. Interment will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the Animal Humane Society.

John Manning Greenwell was born in Evansville, Indiana to Edgar and Margaret (Emery) Greenwell. At the age of 2 years, his mother died unexpectedly. He grew up in Evansville where he graduated from high school in 1964 and for a brief time studied architectural drafting. John entered active duty with the US Air Force in 1965 and was stationed in the Philippines during the Vietnam War. After his military service, he continued to be active in the reserves for several years. John worked for Burroughs in Connecticut as a repair technician and relocated to Minnesota in 1987. His most recent employment was with HM Cragg Company as a manufacturers sales rep for power systems. On October 16, 2004, he was married to Karen Rauch. He enjoyed fishing and photography. John was an avid car enthusiast and a member of the Upper Midwest Region Shelby American Auto Club. He also rode motorcycles, and served as motorcycle safety instructor for several years. Above all he loved his family and was extremely proud to be Grandpa to his new grandson, Eugene.

John is survived by his wife, Karen; sons, Patrick (Laura) and Michael (Maria); grandson, Eugene; father and mother-in-law, William and Dolores Rauch; sister-in-law, Lynn Rabbitts; brothers-in-law, William Rauch Jr and Dave (Robyn) Rauch; nephew-in-law, Nathan Rauch. He is preceded in death by his parents, Edgar and Margaret; adoptive mother, Loretta Greenwell and infant brother.