John “Jack” David Meyer passed through the gates of death and was born to eternal life on Oct. 20, 2020, at Bethany Riverside Transitional Care Center, La Crosse, Wis.

Private Family Funeral Services was held Oct. 23, 2020, at First Lutheran Church in Decorah with Rev. Steven M. Jacobsen ‘69 officiating. Burial was Oct. 24 at the Long Lake Lutheran Cemetery in Sarona, Wis.  

Jack was born at his grandparents’ home in Postville, Iowa, on Sept. 18, 1932, to Elmer and Mabel (Dilcher) Meyer, and big sister Rose Marie. He was adopted into God's family through the gift of baptism on Dec. 3, 1933. He attended school in Postville and went on to Luther College where he excelled in football and track. Jack identified three life changing moments while a student at Luther: meeting his future wife Millie (Lunde) Meyer ‘55, responding to the call to serve the church as a pastor, and graduating in May of 1955.

On June 28, 1957, Jack was united in marriage to Mildred (Lunde) Meyer ‘55, at Calmar Lutheran Church, Calmar, Iowa. In May of 1958, he graduated with a Master of Divinity degree from Chicago Lutheran Theological Seminary. Jack was ordained on June 1, 1958, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Postville, Iowa. As a pastor he served Trinity Lutheran Church, Estherville, Iowa, (1958-January, 1961); Our Savior Lutheran Church, Pekin, Ill., (1961-1966); St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Washington, Ill., (1966-1971); Bethel Lutheran Church, Danville, Ill. (1971-1982); and Trinity Lutheran Church, Carthage, Ill., (1982-1997). In retirement, Jack and Millie split their time between Decorah, Iowa, and Long Lake near Sarona, Wis.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Rose Marie Langrock, brother-in-law Karl Langrock, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Donald and Mary Dee Lunde, Milford and Bee Lunde, Ruth Lunde, and Curt and Peg (Lunde) Stolee.

Jack is survived by his wife, Millie (Lunde) Meyer ‘55, his daughter Louise, sons David (Kathy) and Rev. Steven Meyer ‘89 (Stacey), grandchildren Shawn (Sai), Taryn and Grace, and many nieces and nephews.  He leaves with them a legacy of hard work, competitive spirit, love, and laughter.

Memorials may be given to Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, 1100 E 55th St., Chicago, IL 60615, Luther College, c/o Development Office, 700 College Drive, Decorah, IA 52101, First Lutheran Church, 604 West Broadway St., Decorah, IA

52101 and Long Lake Lutheran Church, W3114 Church Rd., Sarona, WI 54870.