John “JB” Breimhorst
Posted By Ballard Sunder Funeral Home On September 1, 2021 @ 6:17 pm In 2021,Obituaries | 24 Comments
John Albert Breimhorst, age 83, of Jordan passed away on August 31, 2021. A visitation will take place at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation (104 First Street West) in Jordan on Tuesday, September 7, 2021 from 3:00 – 7:00 PM, and Wednesday, September 8, 2021 from 9:30 – 10:30 AM. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Jordan on Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, any memorials sent to the family will be used to help Jordan Baseball and Softball.
On July 21st, 1938, Albert and Agnes were blessed with their first child, John Albert Breimhorst. John was brought home to the Jordan farm where he would spend most of his childhood. He learned quickly that if you worked hard, you get to play hard after. When he was playing, he would often be in the woods near the farm hunting with his friends or playing a game of baseball. He played amateur baseball for Jordan Brewers and Marystown. John also loved to hunt and fish. If he found a secret spot where the fish were always biting, he might let you know which 5-county area it’s in. John attended St. John the Baptist Catholic School, graduated from Jordan High School, and received a banking degree at St. Olaf.
After graduating from Jordan, his first job was at Northwestern State Bank in Jordan. He started at an entry level position and worked his way to the Vice President role after 30 years of service. It was then time to find new work. John started working at Wolf Motors in Jordan as a sales associate and loved the camaraderie with his peers and enjoyed being there for his customers, where at times it was more of a social outing than a job. John enjoyed that position for over 25 years.
John met his future wife Wanda at a wedding back in 1970. Wanda was a bridesmaid in the bridal party and John was the bartender making sure everyone was having a good time. A little over a year later, the pair were married on September 11, 1971 at The Church of St. Peter in Richfield. John and Wanda were blessed with two children, Scott and Kelli. John enjoyed taking his kids up to Mille Lacs for ice fishing trips. He also loved to watch them play in whatever sports they were involved in, but baseball and softball were his favorite to watch. John always told his kids, “if your uniform is clean after the game, don’t come home.” Which was good for jerseys, but not so good for school clothes. Later in life, John and Wanda were blessed with five wonderful grandchildren. John’s day was made any time he got to see his grandchildren. Even if it was as simple as dropping them off at school, John just couldn’t say no to his grandkids.
John was lovingly referred to as a “serial volunteer” by his family. In his off time, it is most likely that he would be helping with one of the many local Church, service and civic organizations: The Jordan Commercial Club, Jaycees, Fish Lake Sportsmen’s Club, Jordan Lions, Firearm Safety (he was a class instructor for over 60 years), Knights of Columbus, SJB Church Usher, the Jordan Development Corporation, and the Jordan Snowmobile Club. Earlier in his life, his professional expertise and commitment to Jordan manifested in the JDC, developing property and facilities projects for our town. And John always found ways to help with one of his great passions in life: Baseball.
John has been an integral part of maintaining things outside the lines at the Mini Met, including helping to foster the community connected with baseball in Jordan. His heart was full coming home each night knowing that he finished some task at the ballpark. John was a co-chairman for several MN State Amateur Baseball Tournaments, as well as the point person for the MSHSL High School State Tournament every June. John devoted much of his life to making sure that players played on, and fans experienced one of the most beautiful townball parks in the nation. John’s reach in the baseball community goes well beyond Jordan. He is a 1999 inductee into the Minnesota Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame, largely due to the lifelong contributions to ensuring excellence for our MN Townball heritage. He was also a devoted fan and had a place up the left field line where you could often find him having a pop and taking in the game and the field. To all who follow in his footsteps as supporters of Jordan Baseball, he would want you to know (literally stated in his last few days) that he passed knowing things are in good hands and his legacy of service will live on.
John is Survived by his wife, Wanda Breimhorst; children, Scott (Molly) Breimhorst, Kelli Hollingsworth-Breimhorst; grandchildren, Eve, Sam, Joey, Reece, and JT; siblings, Ed (Joan) Breimhorst, Anne (Steve) Schwichtenberg, Albie (Mary) Breimhorst, and Alice (Kenny) Doolittle. John was greeted in Heaven by his parents, Albert and Agnes Breimhorst.
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Wanda, Scott, Kelli and Family
My sincere sympathies to each of you and your wonderful family on the loss of John. John was an amazing and awesome human being. I was fortunate to get to know him and count him as a friend immediately when I came to Jordan in 1988. What a great man!
John was inspiring, humble, driven and incredibly kind. Everyone wanted to talk to John. To be more like John. To say they knew John. Blessed indeed are those that knew John, as well is the wonderful community of Jordan where John invested so much of himself. John was truly a one in a million kind of a guy. I am a better person because I, thankfully, knew John Breimhorst.
God gives us the best and he takes home the best. John Briemhorst is the best! On August 31, 2021, God won the overall number one pick in John Breimhorst!
Love you, John!
Tim Litfin
My deepest sympathy to Wanda and family. We have our class reunion on the 10th and John has always been a big part of organizing the reunion as he was in many parts of Jordan events. He will surely be missed. May he rest in peace,
Still wrapping my head around this……….so sorry…..Love you guys!!!
Sincere condolences to the Breimhorst family. John was a great man . Always kind and helpful in the community. I worked with John at Wolf Motor and he was always there giving great advice about life, one night I was stuck in Burnsville with my daughter and I called him to help, it was after midnight and he was right there to help me out , he truly was a kind soul .
Our deepest condolences, and prayers for healing to John’s family and his many, many friends. Few have left such an amazing mark on a community. He will be missed and remembered for lifetimes.
My deepest sympathy to Wanda and family. John sounds like he was extremely involved in his community and will be missed by all. Prayers for the family.
JB was woven through almost every aspect of our little town. We loved seeing him almost everyday on our morning walk through the ball park. He always took the time to stop and say Hello! He will never be forgotten. We are praying for you.. Wanda ,Scott and Kelli and families Hugs,Mark and Gail Kragthorpe
Dear Wanda & family, Saddened on learning of John’s passing. He was/is a true Jordan Brewer and community legend and always super proud of his favorite hometown. We admired him for that trait and all he did to improve
his fine City for all regardless of age brackets. Difficult to ever replace that type dedication and spirit.
I had the honor of working with him across the several state tournaments Jordan and Belle Plaine hosted over the years. JB was there from the planning and bidding process to host, until the final pitch on Labor Day.
He was extremely proud of his family and they were always his first priority.
We will miss sitting with him at the annual HOF banquets in St. Cloud. JB, find a good seat at the Mini-Met in heaven. Best always, Gerry & Carman Meyer aka “Mize”
John was one of our “Connie Schmid” group. We have wonderful rememberences of John.
Wanda and family. I was sad to hear about John’s death. John was a great friend and associate during my years at the Jordan bank. He helped me a lot in getting to know the community and he also was a great banker. I look back at our days in Jordan very fondly and John was a big part of that.
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My sympathies to the family and the entire community of Jordan. I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with John in my position as the Director of the State HS Baseball Tournament. What an ambassador for Baseball and for Jordan. Hard working, dedicated, selfless and the “salt of the earth.” He will be greatly missed by all – remember the good times. May the Lord provide you strength and peace in your sorrow.
Kevin Merkle
Wanda, Scott and Kelli and families,
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. .
There were not many like your husband, father and grandfather.
He was a friend, a past neighbor of George’s and it didn’t matter where they played, there was always room for a baseball game with the Colling’s and the Breimhorsts. He was an avid ice fisherman on whose generosity we could always count. He’d brave -20˚ to catch the best and never complained of the cold! His heart and soul were in the Mini Met and it has always been one of the best fields in the state.
It won’t be the same without him. Jordan has lost a pillar of the community!
Kathy and George Colling
Words cannot express how saddened we are about John’s passing. Our hearts break for you Wanda, Scott, Molly, Kelli and your kids. Sending you many many hugs of healing ❤️
Chip & Paulette
Wanda and Family, So very sorry to hear about John. He was so instrumental in my many good memories of Jordan. He watched over the baseball park so well. I always remember him scolding me for holding batting practice in the outfield ,at the mini-met without using big enough carpets to avoid any damage to the field.Thanks for sharing him. Dave Weber
Wanda, Scott, and Kelli…
I don’t even know where to begin. Whether it was living across the street fr you guys, seeing him at the many years of baseball at the ballpark, or simply seeing him around town he ALWAYS had a smile and a warm greeting! His kindness and pure interest in how you and your family were whenever he saw you did not go unnoticed either. He left a legacy in this town that will live on in everyone who had the opportunity to know him.
Sending you all so much love and lots of prayers!
Heather
My years at the Post Office have truly been blessed by visits from John. From the first time I met him, he showed a genuine interest in my hometown, my family and myself. I will miss the many laughs I shared with him, but am grateful for having known him! My condolences to Wanda, Scott, Kelli and all of his family.
Rest In Peace, my friend!
Betsy Mesker
JB we were classmates for 12 years and you were a class act. A lot of great Memories. My condolences to the Family.
My condolences. I remember John as always having time to talk to you when he ran into you. You always felt better after the meeting. May God bless him and the family.
My prayers and love sent to you all of you what a great man. He gave to others with out questions as his ball field needed checking or grandkids needed picking up ❤️ Sure will miss our visits and all the laughs. May all the happy memories help you on this new journey.
My condolences to the family of John Breimhorst. Having known JB for many years, I am a little familiar with all the things he did for others, especially for baseball. He was always willing to help and serve and he always had a smile for people. I know he always treated me well. He will be missed by many.
My sympathy and thoughts as you go through this loss. May all the good memories bring smiles to your faces . Peace and comfort!
Scott, Molly and family, we are so very sorry to hear about your loss. We never knew John personally, but remember his smiling face at church. Based on your Eulogy, Scott, he sounds like an absolute amazing person. May God be your strength during this difficult time. Hugs and prayers to you all❤ God bless
Breimhorst family,
Kim and I are very sorry for your loss. Sending good thoughts to you all. Looked like a great tribute to him from the town and ball park. Sorry we weren’t able to make it to the funeral.
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So very sorry to hear the sad news. Growing up in Jordan, we knew John, his parents and siblings very well. He will be missed.