John K. Prothero

Funeral services for John Prothero of Roseau, MN will be held on Saturday, September 10th at 11 AM at the Evangelical Covenant Church in Roseau.  Visitation will be on Friday from 5-7 PM with a 7:00 prayer service at Helgeson Funeral Home in Roseau; and one hour prior at the church.  Interment will be at the Malung Cemetery.  Military honors by the Roseau Memorial Honor Guard.

John was born to Dale and Grace (Kirby) Prothero on April 13, 1951 in Wichita, KS.  He moved with his family to the Northwest Angle as a young teenager and attended the one-room school through 8th grade.  He then boarded with different families in Warroad during his high school years since there was no road into the Angle.  They didn’t get home very often on weekends, and when they did it was by plane, ferry or walking through the swamp.  He graduated from Warroad High School in 1970.

John entered the US Army in 1971 for two years and was stationed in Germany during the Vietnam War.  He was very proud of his service.  After being discharged from the Army, John attended Moorhead State University, graduating with a degree in Psychology.  While in college, he worked for Keebler Company. 

In 1977, John was then hired at Equifax Services as an insurance investigator.  He later owned a video franchise.  John was a hard worker throughout his life, no matter what occupation he had.  He returned to the NW Angle in 1989 to help his parents at their resort, building log cabins and running the resort.  At that time, he also made and sold furniture.

John and Kay were married on September 15, 1990.  Their children, Brandon and Brianna were born while they lived at the NW Angle.  The family then moved to Roseau in May 2000.

John’s most recent occupation was working for Polaris Industries for 20 years.  He was a lead person in Quality Assurance and various other departments at Polaris, retiring two years ago as a Mold Technician in the Polaris Plastics plant.  During his retirement, he again helped out at the resort and did some piano tuning.

John was known for his quick wit and could make you laugh no matter what the circumstances were.   His humor still showed during the last days of his life.  We will miss his humor at the dinner table.  He always had us in stitches.  He always had such a positive attitude and everyone enjoyed his company.  John had many friends.

John enjoyed woodworking, fishing and the outdoors, and playing the piano.  Most of all, John loved his family and spending time with them.  His kids were his pride and joy.  First, and foremost, he loved the Lord with all his heart.  He gave his life to the Lord while attending Campus Crusade for Christ during his college years.  His faith never wavered.  John was also a Royal Ranger commander at church for many years.  He loved teaching the young boys about Jesus. 

John passed away on September 4, 2016 at the age of 65 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, MN with his family by his side.  John was a loving husband, dad, son, brother, and uncle.  He will be dearly missed.

John is survived by his wife, Kay, of 25 years; his three children, Emily (Brett) Howell of St. Cloud, MN; Brandon Prothero of Roseau, MN; and Brianna Prothero, also of Roseau, MN; parents, Dale & Grace Prothero of Angle Inlet, MN; sister, Linda (Bill) Knight of Angle Inlet, MN; and brother, Tim (Cindy) Prothero of Angle Inlet, MN; grandson, Oliver Howell; many nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews. 

 Service Information