John “Jack” E. Gallagher, 98, passed away with his children by his side on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at Solvay Hospice House in Duluth, MN.

Jack was born April 6, 1928, to Mary Jane (Bellefeuille) and Louis J. Gallagher in Detroit Lakes, MN. Jack grew up on the Callaway, MN family farm and fished the surrounding lakes. He graduated from Detroit Lakes High School in 1947 and enlisted in the US Army serving from 1951-52. Early on, Jack worked for the railroad in North Dakota before he took on the life-long career of becoming a well known, skilled mason. Jack married Ruth Peterson on October 19, 1963, in Grand Forks, ND. The family moved to Superior in 1965 where Jack worked first as foreman and mason for Rueben Johnson Construction and then as the only bricklayer for the School District of Superior until his retirement in 1990. Jack built many fireplaces, planters and chimneys for friends over the years. Many local boys (now grandpa’s themselves) “mixed mud” for Jack’s mason jobs. He crafted his last field stone, two-story fire place from a scaffold at the age of 90.

Jack was a member of Holy Assumption Catholic Church where he was a founding member of the Knights of Columbus #7106 in 1978. He was also an active member of Brick Layers Union Local #2, and Douglas County Foster Care program. Jack and Ruth cared for over 100 foster children. He coached women’s softball, boy’s youth baseball, and coached a grandson to the state bowling tournaments. Jack enjoyed fishing, hunting, bowling, reading, and gardening. He gardened in three different gardens so Ruth could can and freeze the harvest. Jack prayed the rosary most every day at 4:30 PM while he enjoyed a can of cold Miller High Life beer. At age 97, the doctor told him, “Don’t change a thing.” Jack enjoyed the company of his family, friends, and any acquaintance. He could remember every connection, hobby, sport, or award anyone received right up to his death.

Jack says there are lots of things I’ve never done, and I never cared to travel “So Be It.” He made sure the family knew that his eventual funeral could never be planned on the opening day of fishing.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 58 yrs, Ruth (2021); his daughter, Pamela Laurvick (2016); his brothers, Jim, Bill, and Dick; his sisters, Barbara, Shirley Ryan; his great grandson, A.J. Conley (2015), and several other family members. He mourned each one with a heavy heart.

Jack is survived by his daughters, Monica Tikkanen, and Cheryl (Bob) Nelson; his son, Nathan (Jennifer) Gallagher; grandchildren and great grandchildren. He is also survived by sisters in-law, Wanda Peterson, Sandy Gallagher, Lana Gallagher, Sandy Lally, nieces, nephews and close friends Shirley Brown and Dick Malinowski. He and Ruth raised 2 foster grandsons. Wherever Jack went, people knew him, and he knew their families. Ruth and Jack’s 5927 Cumming home was filled with neighborhood kid, grand kids and 5 great grandchildren while their parents were at work. There was no end to the friends Jack kept from young to old. He loved children and would often have to hold the babies, or stop to say hello and get a high five or a fist bump from the little kiddos. Birds Bar and the Shamrock Pizza were two favorite places that served his favorite beer. He was affectionately known as the Mayor of South Superior. At 97, he fished Leech Lake with his fishing buddies and kept his rod and reel ready to go again.

Visitation will be held Friday, August 14, 2026, from 9:30 AM until the 11:00 AM Mass of Christian Burial at Holy Assumption Catholic Church, 5601 Tower Avenue., Superior, WI. Handicapped parking entrance and elevator access found at the side door from the back parking lot. Following the mass, inurnment will be in Graceland Cemetery, followed by a luncheon back in the church basement.

In lieu of flowers, Jack had requested that memorials may be made to the A.J. Conley Scholarship at the Superior Scholarship Foundation, 3025 Tower Avenue, Superior, WI 54880. The children wish to sincerely thank the people who cared for their dear father at Harmony House, Essentia Hospital and Solvay Hospice House.