John "Jack" Peck

John Theodore ‘Jack’ Peck

John Theodore “Jack” Peck, 94-year-old resident of Little Falls, Minn., died Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023 in Little Falls.

Jack was born Aug. 2, 1929, in St. Paul, Minn., to Margaret (Sommer) and John Peck. He graduated from Washington High School in 1947 and studied voice at McPhail College in Minneapolis, Minn. In 1950 he enlisted in the United States Navy and served during the Korean War. He spent two years in Kodiak, Alaska, at the Naval Air Station flying air/sea rescue. In 1952 he was transferred to the Naval Air Station in Alameda, Calif., for the remainder of his enlistment as a jet engine specialist. Jack then attended the University of Minnesota (Twin Cities), majoring in radio broadcasting and social studies.  On January 21, 1956, Jack married Elizabeth “Betty” Cheesebrow of St. Paul, Minn. In June 1959, he and Betty moved to Little Falls where Jack began working at KLTF Radio as a sports announcer and sales representative. Eventually he became sports director, sales manager and station manager for owner Jack Lemme. After nearly 32 years, he retired in 1991. Jack was an active member of Bethel Lutheran Church, serving on the church council and call committees for three pastors. He enjoyed singing in the choir for 45 years, served as usher, sound technician and lector, and worked with the Mission Builders when Bethel built a new church, which was dedicated in 2003. He took pride in being a German serving lutefisk dinners for over 50 years for the Swedish congregation. Jack was very active in the community throughout his entire life. He served on the founding board of directors for the Minnesota News Network (MNN) and served as president of the Minnesota Outstate Sports Broadcasters Association.  He was president of the Little Falls Jaycees and served as region and state vice president. He received the National Jaycees Lifetime Senator Award and was named one of Minnesota’s Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Year. Jack has been a member of the Little Falls Chamber of Commerce for over 60 years, serving as president in 1981 and ’82. He received the Minnesota Power and Light Company’s Private Enterprise Award and the Little Falls Exchange Club’s Book of Golden Deeds Award.  Jack served as chairman of Little Falls Parks and Recreation Committee, working with then-mayor Pat Spence to develop Maple Island Park. He served on the committee to renovate Pine Grove Zoo and was a member of the Little Falls Lions Club.  He was a proud volunteer at St. Gabriel’s Hospital for over 12 years and served on the Campaign Executive Committee for Project Health Care Committee in 1996-97. He served on the hospital’s board of directors for six years and was on the Expansion Committee for the new addition of the hospital. Jack served from 2010-2021 as president of the Minnesota State Veterans Memorial Association, and was instrumental in the recent fundraising and completion of the Veterans Art Monument at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls. Minnesota Governor Arne Carlson proclaimed April 14, 1991, as “Jack Peck Day” in Minnesota. Jack was especially proud of all the students who participated in school extracurricular activities. Throughout his career, he broadcasted over 5,000 high school events as well as St. John’s University football for 10 years. He was the first broadcaster to be inducted into the Minnesota High School Boys Basketball Hall of Fame. He was inducted into the Little Falls High School Hall of Fame and honored by the Minnesota Athletic Directors with the Distinguished Service Award. He served as president of the Little Falls Baseball Club and Little Falls Softball Association as well. Jack was the public address announcer for 50 years for high school football, boys basketball and girls basketball. He loved to fish, golf, bowl, play and umpire fast-pitch softball, and other sports activities. Other than sports, his favorite pastime was playing cards, especially cribbage, widow’s whist and smear. He enjoyed teaching and playing with his family, especially grandkids, and friends. Jack was preceded in death by his parents, John and Margaret; sisters and brothers-in-law, Geri (Don) Twedt; Judy (Kevin) Kampsen; Jackie Gryc; and Margaret Alice (Ron) Steave. Jack is survived by his wife of 67 years, Betty, of Little Falls. They were blessed with three sons and three daughters: Michael “Mike” (Therese) Peck of Alexandria, Minn.; Thomas “Tom” (Sue) Peck of Sauk Centre, Minn.; Jonmarie (Peter) Wagner of Eagan, Minn.; Elizabeth “Lisa” (Jim) Rebrovich of Big Lake, Minn.; Julie (Scott) Schulz of Cloquet, Minn.; and Steve (Vicky) Peck of Las Vegas, Nev. Jack is also survived by 18 grandchildren, Amanda (Andrew) Peck-Ouellette, Emily (Brian) Tuttle and Mitchell Peck; Jessica, Matthew (McKenzie), Brian and Christine Peck; Michelle (Evan) Spangenberg, Nicole (Nick) Welter, Steven, David and Anna Wagner; Sara (Tim Patchen) and John Rebrovich; Nathaniel (Anna) and Katie (fiancé Lucas Pfaffe) Schulz; and Claire and Michael (Tori) Peck; six great-grandchildren, Myla, Jack, Will, Madelyn, Hazel and Payton, with two more on the way; “adopted sister,” Gail Pearson; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 3, at Bethel Lutheran Church in Little Falls.  A visitation will be held Monday, Oct. 2, at Emblom Brenny Funeral Service from 4-7 p.m. and from 9:30 a.m. until the hour of the service on Tuesday, Oct. 3, at the church.  Military honors will be conducted by the Little Falls American Legion Post #46. Please follow the link provided to live stream the service https://portal.memoryshare.com/services/view/johnjack-peck-8082311 

In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery or the Flyers Athletic Boosters (FAB).