1918
John
2014
John Savoy
December 10, 1918 — March 2, 2014
John "Jack" Savoy, 95, of Fergus Falls, MN, formerly of Breckenridge, MN, died Sunday, March 2, 2014, at the Minnesota Veteran's Nursing Home in Fergus Falls. The visitation will be from 4:00 to 8:00PM with a prayer service at 7:00PM, on Friday, March 7, 2014, at the Veteran's Home in Fergus Falls. The visitation will continue at Joseph Vertin & Sons Funeral Home in Breckenridge, from 9:00 to 10:00AM, on Saturday, March 8. The Mass of Christian burial will follow at 10:30AM, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Breckenridge. Father Joseph Backowski and Father Stan Wieser will concelebrant. The interment will be at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, in Breckenridge at a later date.
John "Jack" Savoy was born December 10, 1918, in Staples, MN, to Thomas and Inez Savoy. His father, Thomas, died in 1926 when Jack was eight years old. His mother, Inez, was remarried to Jess Swart in 1929. The family then moved to Ottertail Lake, where they built Shady Haven Resort. Jack attended school at Battle Lake, MN. He earned extra money for the family as a fishing guide on Ottertail Lake and playing the piano. Jack moved to Fergus Falls, MN, in 1939 and married Myrtle Moe Hendrickson in 1941. He was drafted into the U. S. Army in 1942. Following Basic Training in Oklahoma, he boarded a ship destined for Utah Beach which was part of and the Normandy Invasion of WWII. He was in combat until May 8, 1945. During the European Campaigns, he received three battle stars and the Bronze Star. Upon his return to Fergus Falls, he tended bar then later sold pianos and organs. In 1955, he took a sales position with the Prudential Insurance Company and moved the family to Breckenridge.
During his years in Breckenridge, Jack was very active in the community and church. He was president of the Chamber of Commerce, City and County Chairman of the Minnesota Heart Association, served on the advisory board for St. Francis Hospital, a member of St. Mary's Church Council, and numerous other organizations. Jack received many awards for outstanding sales and service to his clients during his 26 years with the Prudential Insurance Company. He took pride in providing the best possible service to his clients, and became welcomed, monthly visitor in many homes in the Twin Towns. He retired in 1981 from the insurance business, but remained active in the community.
Jack taught himself to play piano by ear when he was fourteen years old. He also learned to play the organ and accordion. Over the years he played for many different dance bands and often performed alone. He generously shared his gift of music with many friends, and especially senior citizen homes in the Twin Towns and surrounding areas. Jack's other hobbies included fishing, golfing, and playing cards. He especially enjoyed his summers at Ottertail Lake. In 1996 Myrtle passed away. Jack later married LouEtta Hanneman of Fergus Falls, MN, where they have since made their home.
Jack is survived by his wife, LouEtta, Fergus Falls, MN; his 3 sons, Michael (Nana) Savoy, Tampa, FL, David (Nancy) Savoy, Reno, NV, and Gregory (Connie) Savoy, Pasadena, TX; his son-in-law, James Tyvand, Breckenridge, MN, his 8 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren; his 4 step-children, Gary (Debby) Hanneman, Debbie (Joe) Levens, Bonnie Lonbaken, and Kay Hanneman; his 9 step-grandchildren and 5 step great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.
Jack is preceded in death by his first wife, Myrtle; his parents, Thomas and Inez Savoy; his step-father, Jess Swart; his daughter, Mary Tyvand; his 4 brothers, Richard, Floyd, Lloyd and David; 2 sisters, Evelyn Williamson and Hazel Sunsby; his grandson, Thomas Tyvand.
John "Jack" Savoy was born December 10, 1918, in Staples, MN, to Thomas and Inez Savoy. His father, Thomas, died in 1926 when Jack was eight years old. His mother, Inez, was remarried to Jess Swart in 1929. The family then moved to Ottertail Lake, where they built Shady Haven Resort. Jack attended school at Battle Lake, MN. He earned extra money for the family as a fishing guide on Ottertail Lake and playing the piano. Jack moved to Fergus Falls, MN, in 1939 and married Myrtle Moe Hendrickson in 1941. He was drafted into the U. S. Army in 1942. Following Basic Training in Oklahoma, he boarded a ship destined for Utah Beach which was part of and the Normandy Invasion of WWII. He was in combat until May 8, 1945. During the European Campaigns, he received three battle stars and the Bronze Star. Upon his return to Fergus Falls, he tended bar then later sold pianos and organs. In 1955, he took a sales position with the Prudential Insurance Company and moved the family to Breckenridge.
During his years in Breckenridge, Jack was very active in the community and church. He was president of the Chamber of Commerce, City and County Chairman of the Minnesota Heart Association, served on the advisory board for St. Francis Hospital, a member of St. Mary's Church Council, and numerous other organizations. Jack received many awards for outstanding sales and service to his clients during his 26 years with the Prudential Insurance Company. He took pride in providing the best possible service to his clients, and became welcomed, monthly visitor in many homes in the Twin Towns. He retired in 1981 from the insurance business, but remained active in the community.
Jack taught himself to play piano by ear when he was fourteen years old. He also learned to play the organ and accordion. Over the years he played for many different dance bands and often performed alone. He generously shared his gift of music with many friends, and especially senior citizen homes in the Twin Towns and surrounding areas. Jack's other hobbies included fishing, golfing, and playing cards. He especially enjoyed his summers at Ottertail Lake. In 1996 Myrtle passed away. Jack later married LouEtta Hanneman of Fergus Falls, MN, where they have since made their home.
Jack is survived by his wife, LouEtta, Fergus Falls, MN; his 3 sons, Michael (Nana) Savoy, Tampa, FL, David (Nancy) Savoy, Reno, NV, and Gregory (Connie) Savoy, Pasadena, TX; his son-in-law, James Tyvand, Breckenridge, MN, his 8 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren; his 4 step-children, Gary (Debby) Hanneman, Debbie (Joe) Levens, Bonnie Lonbaken, and Kay Hanneman; his 9 step-grandchildren and 5 step great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.
Jack is preceded in death by his first wife, Myrtle; his parents, Thomas and Inez Savoy; his step-father, Jess Swart; his daughter, Mary Tyvand; his 4 brothers, Richard, Floyd, Lloyd and David; 2 sisters, Evelyn Williamson and Hazel Sunsby; his grandson, Thomas Tyvand.
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