John Mark Oas

WINONA John Mark Oas of Winona, passed peacefully at his home on November 4, 2015. John was born November 12, 1954 in Bemidji, MN to Lester and Irene (Vaag) Oas. He attended Blackduck High School and graduated from the Bemidji Technical College. He worked for the US Geological Survey doing topographical mapping in Northern Minnesota. On October 9, 1976, John married the love of his life, Joan Lynette Jacobson. Their family made their home in the Bemidji area where John worked for Bob Lowth Ford for 10 years as shop foreman, at Randy's Paint and Body, and Beltrami Industrial Services. In 1989, John and Joan moved their family to Winona where John became employed with the Minnesota Department of Transportation as a Bridgeworker in the Structures Division. He also was a certified bridge inspector and spent time monitoring local bridges including the Winona and Dresbach bridges after 9/11.John enjoyed the people he worked with every day, fishing, reading, woodworking, mushroom hunting, and riding his ATV; however, his girls were always his number one priority. They spent many hours together as a family traveling to numerous science fairs including five international science fairs.John is survived by his wife, Joan; children, Alaina (Bowman) Webb, Noelle Oas, Hillary (Gareth Miller) Oas, and LeiLani Oas; mother-in-law, Delma I. Jacobson; the special family of Alex and Amber (Masood) Pasche and their little girls, Lilly and Laila, whose visits he always enjoyed. John has four sisters, Debbie Koepsell, Sue Oas, Martha (Paul) Brambrink, and Becky (Wes) Nestberg; brother-in law, Jeff (Lynette) Jacobson; two sisters-in-law, Janet Jacobson (Jim McDonald), and Carol (Si) Hooker and their families. He was preceded in death by his parents and father-in-law, Ervin A. Jacobson.Pallbearers John selected include: Don Mehren, Chas Martin, Scuffy Paulson, Dewey Nelson, Dale Engrav and Alex Pasche.He always appreciated the help of the ALS Association, the Winona Health Hospice workers, and the friends and family who came by to help or visit. He will be forever remembered and loved by us all!Funeral service will be held at 12pm, Monday, November 9, 2015 at Hoff Celebration of Life Center in Goodview led by Funeral Celebrant Brittany Renberg. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery.Please share a memory of John and sign his guest book at www.hofffuneral.com.