David "Jon" Guttormsson Obituary

Mass of Christian Burial for David Jon Guttormsson will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, March 1, 2024, at St. Edward Catholic Church in Minneota.  Visitation will be two hour prior to the service on Friday; 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. at the church in Minneota.

David Jon Guttormsson was born on January 5, 1940, in Canby, Minnesota to Ragnar and Ada (DeSutter) Guttormsson.  He passed away unexpectedly on February 20, 2024 with family at his side, he was 84 years old.

In 1943 the family purchased the Minneota Mascot and moved to Minneota, Minnesota.  Jon often commented that he started working at the Mascot at the age of 9.  He attended and graduated from St. Edward’s Catholic Elementary School and Minneota High School in 1958.  Following high school graduation, he continued with his lifelong career at the Minneota Mascot.  He was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Barbara Schreiber on June 20, 1961 at St. Edwards Catholic Church.   Jon and Barb were blessed with six children.

Jon and Barb assumed ownership of the Minneota Mascot in 1973.  Through the weekly newspaper he entertained the community with his column “Odds and Ends” where he shared his quick wit and story-telling abilities.   He was the publisher and editor until he retired and sold the newspaper in 2009.  He was quoted in the Mascot at the time of retirement as stating he had plans to “involve himself in his ham radio hobby at home, working on computers, yard work to be done.  There is plenty to do with these, plus I can drive my wife crazy.”  The retirement years also found him watching many Minnesota Twins games, taking a few trips with his family including Germany and Iceland, and reading more books than the library could supply.  He was known to even resort to reading user manuals, of any type, while looking for a good book.  The invention of on-line books was something he also enjoyed.

He was very devoted and loyal to the Minneota Community and very civic minded.  As a result, he was a City Council Member, Parish Council and Liturgy Commitee Member of St. Edwards Church, served on the ambulance crew and volunteered with the Meal-On-Wheels program.  In his most recent role (arguably the most important) was the Secretary/Treasurer of the Round-Up Office (“coffee club”).

Jon was very proud of his long-term sobriety and was a sponsor within the AA program.  Through this program he was blessed with many life-long friendships.  

Jon was preceded in death by his parents, son Kevin, brother Tom, in-laws Joseph and Helene Schreiber, brother-in-law Allan Schreiber and nephew Damian Maertens.

Jon is survived by his wife of 62 years, Barbara; sons Greg (Amy), Jerry, Eric (Ann) and Dale; daughter Lois (Brad Adkins) and daughter-in-law, Renae; and German daughter Stephanie Vifian (foreign exchange student). His beloved teased and spoiled 10 grandchildren; Tyler (Kristine) & Dillon (Briana) Guttormsson, Cole and Tess Guttormsson, Bobbie Jo (Ben) Davidson and Marshall Guttormsson, Alex (Joanna) and Heidi Guttormsson, Garrett (Ashley) and Claire Adkins; 8 great-grandchildren, Riley, Logan, Hendrix, Ila, Kamden, Kora, Aiden and Luke.  He is also survived by his sister Janet (Loren) Eitreim, sister-in-law Gail Perrizo, and in-laws David (Mary) Schreiber, Sr Angela Schreiber, Brian (Greta) Schreiber, Marcia (Ken) Maertens and Terry (Donna) Schreiber, and many nieces, nephews and friends.

The family would appreciate any donations be made in his memory to St. Edwards Catholic School