John Edward Quistgard

John Edward “Jack” Quistgard, age 90, of Bemidji, Minn. died Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at Trillium in Bemidji, Minn.

A Celebration of Jack’s Life will be held, 10:30 AM, Saturday, February 13, 2010 at First Presbyterian Church, Bemidji, Minn. with Rev. James De Smidt officiating. A memorial gathering will be 5-7 PM, Friday, February 12, 2010 at the Olson-Schwartz Funeral Home. Family will greet friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Arrangements are entrusted to the Olson-Schwartz Funeral Home, Bemidji, Minn.

John Edward “Jack” Quistgard was born on August 20. 1919, to Edward and Florence Quistgard in Warren, Minnesota. He was the youngest of four children born to immigrant parents. Jack graduated from Warren High School in 1937. He attended the University of Kansas and North Dakota State University, receiving his degree in pharmacy in 1941. While at North Dakota State, Jack was active in Sigma Nu, social fraternity and Rho Chi, national scholastic pharmaceutical honorary fraternity. He later became a licensed pharmacist in Arizona, Florida, Minnesota and North Dakota. Upon graduation, he worked in his father’s pharmacy in Warren, Minnesota. Answering the call to duty, Jack served in World War II in Pearl Harbor and was honorably discharged from the military as a Naval Lieutenant Senior Grade in 1945. He worked for Eli Lilly Pharmaceutical Corporation for several years in Cleveland, Ohio before returning to Minnesota. Prior to locating in Bemidji, Jack practiced pharmacy in Virginia for a short period. In 1950, he purchased the Glass Block Rexall Drug Store. In addition to practicing pharmacy for over 25 years he also owned stores with a partner in several northern Minnesota communities. He also was a partner in Northern Drug Whole Supply Corporation Duluth for a number of years. Jack was very engaged professionally, serving as President of the Minnesota State Pharmaceutical Association, President of the Minnesota State Board of Pharmacy, and President of the National Boards of Pharmacy. He was the recipient of the first annual Harold T. Popp Memorial Award for Outstanding Service in the profession of pharmacy in 1969. Jack also was honored by North Dakota State University at their 1974 Alumni Achievement Awards Banquet for outstanding professional contributions. Jack was also an active member of the community as a member of numerous civic organizations over the years that included the Elks, American Legion, the Shrine Club, Paul Bunyan Playhouse Board of Directors, Masons, Boy Scouts troop committee, Bemidji Chamber of Commerce, and the Downtown Development Authority. He was a former president of the Bemidji Jaycees and Lions Club. In addition, he was an elder at the First Presbyterian Church, Board member of the First National Bank, and served on Board of Governors at the University of Minnesota Hospital. Jack enjoyed many activities including fishing, hunting, skiing, boating, traveling and spending winters in Maui. Jack enjoyed visiting with people- his family, his customers, and his friends, especially the Coffee Klutch.

Jack is survived by his wife of sixty-seven years, Mary Betty (Punton), two sons Charles (Ardy) and Dr. Jon (Dr. Trish) of Bemidji , four grandchildren Heidi (Paul) Diercks, Rochester, MN; Shawn Johnson (Kurt) Castle Rock, Co., Dr. Jennifer Hazelton (Dr. Zachary), Bemidji, and Erik Quistgaard, Washington, D.C. He is also survived by three step-grandchildren, Angie (Tim) Waldner, Cody, WY; Andrea Hendrickson, Bemidji ; and Caitlan, Eugene, OR. In addition, he is survived by several nieces and nephews and five great –grandchildren.

The family prefers memorials to the First Presbyterian Church or to the Jack Quistgard Pre-Pharmacy Scholarship at Bemidji State University Foundation.

Online guestbook at www.olsonschwartzfuneralhome.com.

—Paid Obituary

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