John Francis Stevens

John Francis Stevens, age 92, peacefully passed away at his home on April 23, 2026. The fourth child of J.L. and Julia (O’Connor) Stevens, he was born at the family home in Madison Lake, Minnesota. For much of his youth he lived in Kasota. In 1951 he came home on furlough from the Army National Guard to graduate with his class from St. Peter High School.  

John married Shirley Duncan in 1953. They had four children, Susanne, Nancy, Katherine and John.  

John was a barber for many years until the advent of long, shaggy hair styles when (his words,) “My four teenage children wanted to eat on a regular basis, so I was looking for a better source of income.” In 1971 John, Shirley, Jerry and Delores Cooper started Carpet Care, Inc.  

In 1974, he married Mildred (Millie) Keller, to whom he was married until her death in 2017. They called Las Cruces, New Mexico home for many years and John thought the location was nearly Paradise!  

A person of far-ranging interests, he was a scholar of history, an ardent fisherman and a talented musician. He enjoyed traveling both domestically and internationally. He was a top-notch golfer, achieving two holes-in-one and bringing home trophies from numerous tournaments.  

Anyone who knew John remembers that one of his favorite things was a shot of E & J with a splash of water and a couple ice cubes. A born entertainer, he regaled family, friends and customers with oft repeated (and many times off-color) jokes and stories. 

He was preceded in death by four siblings and wife Millie. He is survived by children Susanne (Randy) Hytjan, of Mankato, Nancy Stevens of North Mankato, Katherine Rhee of Hillsboro, OR, John M. (Deb) Stevens of North Mankato, step-children Linda (Richard) Noble of Katy, TX, Cary Anderson of Phoenix, AZ, Kristi (Robert) Gertken of Richmond, MN, Vicki (James) Kwapick of Mahtomedi, MN and one brother, Thomas (Marcia) Stevens of Baxter, MN. He will also be missed by 24 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren 

There will be a celebration of life on Sunday, April 26 from 12:00 – 3:00 at Willow Brook Cooperative, 700 Agency Trail, Mankato. John asked that any memorials be sent to a veteran’s organization. He was a member of the North Mankato American Legion.