John Wallace Day died on Wednesday, December 18, 2024 at the age 87 from congestive heart failure. He was born on September 16, 1937 in Northfield, Minnesota to Donald and Dorothy (Wallace) Day. He attended Randolph Public School and graduated Class of 1956 salutatorian. After graduation, he attended the University of Minnesota School of Agriculture, Class of 1958. He returned home to farm the family Century Farm.
John married Patricia Temple of Northfield on December 28, 1967. John and Pat raised four sons on the family farm: Mike, Matt, David, and Danny, all of whom graduated from Randolph School.
John was involved in several area activities. He served 25 years with the Randolph Volunteer Fire Department and was active in Christ United Methodist Church, Randolph Area Historical Society, Lakeside Cemetery, Rice County Steam and Gas, and was elected to several terms on the County Committee for Dakota County Farm Service Agency. In 2008, John and Pat were named Dakota County Farm Family of the Year.
John retired from active farming in 2012. In retirement, he did volunteer activities and maintained the family farmstead. John and Pat enjoyed numerous vacation trips in their retirement. Pat passed away shortly after John on Monday, December 23, 2024, at Evergreen Lodge on the Northfield Retirement Community Campus.
He was preceded in death by his parents, step-mother, Grace Day; son David; brothers and sisters-in-law, Noren Nelson, Norman and Helen Temple, Duane Temple, Bert and Bernie Reese. He is survived by his wife, Pat; sons Mike, Matt, and Danny (Rebecca); sister, Karen Nelson; brother and sisters-in-law, Dick and Sharon Engdahl and Ellie Temple; along with his much beloved Temple nephews and nieces.
A Celebration of John and Pat's Life was held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, December 28th at the Christ United Methodist Church of Cannon Falls. Visitation was held for one hour prior from 10-11AM. Interment will be held at a later date in Lakeside Cemetery of Randolph.
Arrangements are with Bierman, Benson & Langehough Funeral Home & Crematory. www.northfieldfuneral.com
