John P. Thorlacius

John Paul Thorlacius, age 42, of Prior Lake, MN and Grand Forks, ND peacefully entered the beauty of Heaven's eternity when he died of natural causes at this home in Prior Lake, MN on January 18, 2023.

John was born on February 13, 1980, in Grand Forks, MN to Richard Abar and Laurel Ann Gajeski.  He attended Holy Family Catholic Elementary School, Schroeder Junior High School and then graduated from Red River High School with the Class of 1998. After graduation he attend basic training and served with the ND National Guard. He went on to attend the University of ND and the University of MN where he studied aviation, engineering and mathematics.  In the early 2000's, he moved to the Twin Cities area where he worked as an irrigation specialist.  John loved to play and watch Hockey.  He played for the "Shame on Ice" Hockey team and served as captain. He taught Racket ball and loved a good round of golf. He enjoyed travel, boating and provocatively discussing and debating the issues of the day.  He was a huge fan of UND Hockey and liked attending the University of MN Golden Gophers football games with his step-grandpa Byron. He loved to laugh and was always equipped with a sharp sense of humor. He loved spending time with his nieces and nephew, as well as all his animal friends. They could sense his kind heart and soul and gravitated towards him.

He will be lovingly remembered by his mother, Laurel Ann (Bruce) Van Dake of Park Rapids; his dad, Rick (Penny) Abar of Grand Forks; step- father “dad,” Eric (Emma) Thorlacius of Belle Plaine, MN; his grandmother, Ethel Thorlacius of Warren, MN; 2 sisters: Jessica (Jeremy) Finnie of Grand Forks and Shelby (Ben Studer) Thorlacius of Livingston, MT; his brother, Brian (Stephanie Harris) Thorlacius of Savage, MN; nieces and nephews: Harper and Cooper Finnie and Caden Harris; his God Mother, Ramona Arch of Lake George, MN; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

John was preceded in death by his grandparents: Roman and Bernice Gajeski of Stephen, MN; Donald and Colleen Abar of Grand Forks, Harlan Thorlacius of Stephen, MN and his God Father, Donald Arch of Grand Forks, Uncle Gene Gajeski.

Funeral services will be held 11 AM, Thursday, January 26, 2023 at the St Peter, the Apostle Catholic Church in Park Rapids with Father Tom Friedl officiating. Mass music will be led by Annette Haas. Visitation and rosary will be held Wednesday, January 25 from 5 PM to 8PM at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids and on Thursday morning starting one hour prior to the service.