John Lamaak was born on November 3, 1931, to parents John and Carrie (Sinning) Lamaak at home near Herring, IA. He was baptized on January 23, 1934, at Wheatland Presbyterian Church in rural Breda, IA. John was confirmed in 1951 at Peace Lutheran Church in Wall Lake, IA. He attended Levy No. 6 Country School and then worked for area farmers until he was drafted into the United States Army during the Korean War on February 17, 1953. John served in Korea for 16 months and was honorably discharged on December 23, 1954. He was a member of the American Legion Chalon Post No. 262 in Wall Lake his entire life.
On February 25, 1955, John married the love of his life, Audrey Schluter, at Peace Lutheran Church in Wall Lake. Their wedding was officiated by Reverend O.E. Weiss. This union was blessed with four children: Daryl, Vicki, Keith, and Janet.
John began farming in 1956, this venture lasted over forty years. Throughout these years he raised hogs and cattle as well as farmed the land. In 2003, he and Audrey moved to Wall Lake. John loved his family and thoroughly enjoyed being in the company of his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
John was preceded in death by his wife Audrey; parents John and Carrie Lamaak; parents-in-law Emil and Violetta Schluter; grandson Daniel Joseph Wilwerding; three brothers: Marvin, Cecil and Donald Lamaak; sister Ruby Paulson; brothers-in-law Walt Craig and Wesley Paulson; sisters-in-law Lorraine Schluter and Carolyn Schluter.
John is survived by his children: Daryl Lamaak (Fiancé Shelly Pope) of Wall Lake, IA, Vicki Vanderbilt of Altoona, IA, Keith (LeAnn) Lamaak of Britt, IA, and Janet (Gail) Wilwerding of Odebolt, IA; six grandchildren: SFC Jonathon Vanderbilt of Fort McCoy, WI, Kari (Christopher) Winters of Sully, IA, Steven Wilwerding of Carroll, IA, Kayla Wilwerding (Fiancé Joshua Wilson) of Johnston, IA, Amy Wilwerding of Carroll, IA, and Rachel Wilwerding of Sioux City, IA; seven great-grandchildren: Matthew, Nathan, Alexis, Aalyiah, Ellianna, Ethan and Alexander; sisters: Annabelle Craig of Anthon, IA, Violet Werkmeister of Early, IA, Geraldine Lamaak of Wall Lake, IA; brothers: Virgil Lamaak of Wall Lake, IA, Orville (Carol) Lamaak of Denison, IA; sisters-in-law Ruth (Wade) Bruggeman of Charter Oak, IA, Rita (Bill) Hicks of Lake City, IA, Marcia Lamaak of Everly, IA; brother-in-law Gerald Schluter of Pulaski, VA; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
