John Palmer Lukason

John Palmer Lukason of Paynesville, died on Monday, August 24, 2026 at the Paynesville Care Center in Paynesville just after celebrating his 77th Birthday.  Graveside services at Fort Snelling National Cemetery will be held at a later date. Arrangements are with Harvey Anderson and Johnson Funeral Home.   

John was born on August 1, 1949, and grew up on a farm in Kandiyohi County, Minnesota, the son of Anna Valborg (Everson) Lukason and Palmer Bang Lukason. Life on the farm shaped who he became — hardworking, independent, curious, and always up for trying something new. Minnesota stayed close to his heart and remained home for most of his life.

John proudly served his country during the Vietnam War as part of a medevac team, helping rescue wounded soldiers from the battlefield. John would be lowered from a helicopter to reach a wounded soldier, place him onto a stretcher, and help bring him aboard so he could be flown to safety. Those experiences never left him.

Coming home from Vietnam, John found a deep and lasting faith in God — one of the most meaningful parts of his life. He believed that God had protected him overseas and continued watching over him.

After his military service, John became a truck driver, spending most of his career hauling freight around the tri-state area. For a while, he ran long-haul routes across the country — coast to coast, from New Jersey to California — and those trips gave him many new places to see and even more stories to bring home.

John had a deep passion for animals of every kind and never let societal norms dictate his choices. Over the years, his household included chinchillas, chickens, and even coyotes. He was known throughout the family for nursing sick animals back to health, and he loved sharing his adventures with friends and family.

John was, without question, the best storyteller in the family — he never met a stranger and had a rare gift for connecting with anyone he encountered. His stories will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.

Yet for all his adventures, John’s greatest joy was always the people around him. He loved spending time with family, catching up with friends, and sharing a good story, a laugh, or whatever idea he’d dreamed up lately. Everyone who knew him will remember his humor, his curiosity, his willingness to try just about anything once, and the stories that seemed to follow him everywhere he went.

He was a beloved father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. He’ll be remembered most for his sense of humor, his endless stories, his passion for adventure, and, above all, his love for his family and friends.

John is survived by his children, David (Kelly) Lukason of Sartell, Michelle (William) Shirley of Clearwater, Robert (Carmen) Lukason of Otsego, and Steven (Lindsey) Lukason of Sartell; eight grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; sisters, Beulah Entner and Pauline (Lee) Engh and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews — all of whom always looked forward to hearing his stories and sharing in his adventures.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Anna Valborg Lukason and Palmer Lukason.

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