Jacob “Jack” Zollar, age 86, of Duluth, MN, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, at Breck Homes in Bloomington, MN.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, November 2, 2023 at 11 AM, with visitation from 9:30 – 10:45 AM, at St. Michael Catholic Church, 16400 Duluth Ave SE, Prior Lake. Father Tom Walker will preside. Jack will be laid to rest on Friday, November 3, 2023, at Noon at Calvary Cemetery of Duluth, 4820 Howard Gnesen Rd, Duluth.
Livestreaming will be available at St. Michael Catholic Church’s website https://stmichael-pl.org/ and by clicking on the “Mass and Services” tab.
Jacob Francis was born on May 17, 1937, to parents John and Anne (Stepan) Zollar, in Duluth, MN. Jack graduated from Duluth Cathedral High School, attended the University of St. Thomas Seminary for one year, and then went on to attend the University of Minnesota Duluth, where he earned a Master’s Degree in Education. While teaching at West Junior High School in Duluth, he found enough courage to ask a fellow West teacher, Mildred Potocnik, for a date, and the rest is history…Milly and Jack were married on August 2, 1965, in Gilbert, MN.
They built their family home in the Lakeside neighborhood of Duluth and raised their two sons, John and David. Jack taught at Duluth Central High School as a Vocational Adjustment Coordinator, working with special education students, and later taught social studies. He and Milly were always supportive of their sons’ activities while they were growing up.
Jack was very committed to his faith and was deeply involved in his parish, St. Michael’s, in Duluth. He served as a reader, eucharistic minister, and offertory counter, as well as on the parish council and finance and funeral luncheon committees. He and Milly often brought fellow parishioners homemade meals, and transported church members to mass. He was even entrusted with the keys to the church!
One of Jack’s greatest joys in life was becoming a Papa to his seven grandchildren. He valued every moment he spent with them and was thrilled to have them visit. He instilled the importance of family traditions in all of them–and made sure to spoil them too! He could often be found in his backyard tending to his garden or cooking supper on the grill while listening to his favorite polka music. He also enjoyed creating beautiful flower arrangements and holiday centerpieces for family and friends.
Jack was a lifelong Duluthian and proud of it! He was a humble man with high character and a big heart. He loved life’s simple pleasures and placed God and family above all else. He was beloved in the community and by his family. He was a shining example for his sons on how to be a good husband, father and grandpa. Now he can rest in peace and be with his wife Milly once again.
His generosity, loving nature and sense of humor will forever be missed by his sons, John (Karen) and Dave (Teri); grandchildren, Anna, Jacob, Joey, Lucy, Henry, Lydia, Carter; and many loving nieces, nephews, other family, and friends. He is preceded in death by his wife, Milly; his parents, John and Anne; brothers, Ed Zollar and John Zollar; and sisters, Margaret Shook, Rose McGuire, Sr. Zoé Zollar SSCM.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Houlding On & Letting Go/Breck Homes (4232 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55409, houldingonlettinggo.org), St. Michael’s Catholic School ( 16280 Duluth Ave SE, Prior Lake, MN 55372), or memorial of donor’s choice.
