About John
The following is something John wrote as part of a genealogy project.
I, John Robert Vleck, son of Robert and Kathleen Vleck, was born on August 3, 1967 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. I have a younger brother, Dan, and a younger sister, Cindy. The first few years of my life were spent living in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. My family moved to Blaine when I was seven.
I grew up in Blaine, Minnesota, a typical suburban neighborhood. Blaine had community soccer and hockey teams. I participated in both of these sports while I was growing up. For several years my Dad made a skating rink in our back yard. Dan and I and our friends spent many hours skating and playing hockey on the rink.
While my neighborhood was filled with friends, some of my fondest memories are of going to my grandma’s house in Lengby, Minnesota. My brother Dan and I used to carry the canoe down to the lake once we were old enough and we fished all day with an occasional break for a meal.
My education began at Johnsville Elementary School in Blaine. It continued at Roosevelt Junior High and Blaine Senior High. After graduation from Blaine High school in 1986, I attended Anoka Ramsey and St. Cloud Technical college from 1986-1990.
I began dating a high school friend and classmate, Stephanie Miller. Stephanie and I were married at St. Timothy’s Church in Blaine, Minnesota on August 18, 1989. After our marriage, we moved several times as our jobs took us to different parts of southern Minnesota. For a few years we lived in St. James, Minnesota where we purchased and remodeled a home. We moved to Coon Rapids, Minnesota in 1999. Our daughter Sabrina Kay was born on June 29, 1993 in St. Peter, Minnesota. Our son Logan Paul was born May 16, 1999 in Fridley, Minnesota.
I work as a Quality Control Technician for Medtronic.
My hobbies have included camping, hunting and fishing. As an adult I still enjoy fishing and hunting with my brother, Dan. While I enjoy deer hunting with my Dad and Dan, the grouse hunting trips have been my favorite. Camping in the remote wilderness of the National Forest and hunting all day long have been real highlights for me.
I have also taken many memorable trips with my children, my wife and my wife’s extended family. We make one or two camping trips each year as a group and have taken several bigger trips together.
In January of 2007 I was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). It is a fatal neuromuscular disease. While the news has been devastating, I continue to live my life to the fullest. I appreciate all the time I am able to spend with my family and friends who have really shown their love and support for us.
January 18 2008 06:21 pm
Amy Whipple on 28 Mar 2008 at 8:34 pm #
Dear John & Stephanie,
Good luck at your upcoming event. It looks like it will be a great success. I stumbled upon your site and would welcome the opportunity to talk to you about the research that is being done by our team of passionate scientists to find a treatment or cure. We are hoping to host an “ALS Research 101″ seminar in Minnesota sometime soon. Please take a look at http://www.als101.org to learn more.
Please know that we are working very hard for you and every other person living with ALS. Our tagline is “A Collaboration of Hope & Science” – which I think sums it up…
Sincerely,
Amy Whipple
Midwest Regional Director
586-254-1560
http://www.als.net
Peter Turner on 31 Mar 2008 at 7:06 am #
John, It has been great getting to know you through our November trek north for deer hunting around the Rack Shack. You always seemed to have success hunting when most of us didn’t see a thing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Pete and Bliss Turner
Shannon Blomquist on 08 Apr 2008 at 8:45 am #
Dear John & Stephanie,
You don’t know me, but my husband, Kip(37) was diagnosed with ALS October 1st, 2007. We live in Stanchfield, MN. and appear to love the same activities you guys do (hunting, fishing, camping and even Jamaica!!…when Kip was diagnosed I booked that trip!). We have 4 children (he has 3 from his previous marriage that I just adore and we just had a baby girl…5 months). With that said…it was heartwrenching news when Kip was diagnosed…we know exactly what you’re going thru and not many can relate…it’s just a horrible disease. We would love to get to know you better and learn how you are trying to “never give up”. Kip has a website setup…www.forkip.com…check it out if you have time…and please contact us if you’d like. It would be nice to know someone else going thru the same thing and be able to bounce things off eachother:) Sincerely, Shannon Blomquist
Dennis and Margaret Olson on 15 Apr 2008 at 7:58 pm #
Dear John, We heard from Bob on the Vleck website about your situation. We are thinking about you and praying for you and your family. (margaret is daughter to Theodore Vleck…who was your Grandpa Franks brother) We have fond memories of Lengby too. We had such good times there. We remember Uncle Frank’s garden and Aunt Mel’s hospitality. Keep Looking up, Jesus cares and knows your every need. Love and prayers. Dennis and Margaret Olson(On daughter, Jean Jones’ computer. )
Serena Machgan on 22 May 2010 at 5:32 pm #
Dear John and Steph,
It was a delight having john as a client. He has a great personality, I hope I get to work with you again John. Serena Machgan