John Okerstrom

John Andrew Okerstrom January 22, 1932 - October 10, 2009 John was born on January 22, 1932 to Roy and Ellen (Olson) Okerstrom in Ashland, Wisconsin. At the young age of 5 he lost his mother in a car accident. His father remarried two years later to Bernice Brastad who he adored and loved. John attended elementary and high school in Bayfield, Wisconsin where his parents operated the original Bayfield Inn on Lake Superior. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Wisconsin State College - Superior in 1954 and also completed Air Force ROTC. His first job after college was teaching history and coaching basketball at Bayfield High School prior to serving in the United States Air Force. John earned his pilots wings as a jet pilot and while in the service he met Sharon, his wife of 52 years. Soon after his honorable discharge and marriage on December 8, 1957, he and Sharon moved back to Bayfield where they managed the Bayfield Inn and John began his hotel management career. It was also then that they started their family that would ultimately grow to five loving children - Jon, Thomas (Sue), David (Vicki), Ellen (Tom Nelson) and Norman (Kim). John and Sharon with kids in tow, moved from northern Wisconsin to the Twin Cities where he was employed at the Curtis Hotel. He progressively moved up to manage the Hopkins House, Hopkins House - Golden Valley and Breezy Point Resort in Brainerd which at the time, were all under one ownership. Their next move came when John was offered the position of Vice President of the Sheraton in Madison, Wisconsin. Two years later, John was offered the opportunity to build from the ground up, a new hotel and to serve as the General Manager of the Sheraton Northwest located in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. He received many awards including Manager of the Year for all Sheraton franchises. Although he enjoyed this recognition, he was quick to point out that his leadership team and every employee could take credit for these accomplishments. John served on many civic and community organizations in both the Twin Cities and in Webster, Wisconsin. He loved the outdoors and cheering his kids and grandkids on with their numerous activities. After retiring in 1995 John and Sharon moved to their lake cabin on Johnson Lake where he cherished times watching his kids, grandkids and friends celebrating life on the lake. John is preceded in death by his father Roy, mothers Ellen and Bernie and an infant sister Christine. He is survived by his wife Sharon, his 5 children, 9 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, his brother R. Theodore (Shirley) Okerstrom of Traverse City, Michigan, special cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. He is also survived by 9 canine friends whom he also adored! A visitation will be held Friday, October 16, 2009 from 4:00-7:00 PM at Yellow Lake Lutheran Church, Webster, Wisconsin. Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 17, 2009 at 11:00 AM (visitation from 10:00-11:00 AM) at Yellow Lake Lutheran Church with Pastor Doug Olson officiating. Music will be provided by organist, Annette Arnold and soloists, Pat Taylor and John's niece, Susan Cole. Interment will follow at the Oakland Cemetery in Oakland Township, Wisconsin. Casketbearers will be his grandsons, Andy Okerstrom, Teddy Okerstrom, T.J. Okerstrom, and Tyler Nelson, friends, Marty Proops and Sunny Munson. Military honors will be provided by the Wisconsin State Honor Guard Team of Spooner, Wisconsin. Arrangements were entrusted to Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Webster, Wisconsin. Online condolences can be made at www.swedberg-taylor.com.