John Gilbert Hobscheid

John Gilbert Hobscheid, 94, of Roseville, MN passed away peacefully on August 2, 2023 with family by his side.

 

John was born December 24, 1928 in Chicago, Illinois. In the 1940’s, his family moved to Barronett, Wisconsin. Here he helped his father start a farm and build a house on Spider Lake. In 1951, he was drafted by the army and served two years in Germany. After the army, he returned to Barronett and met his future wife Ruth Dickson. They married in 1954 and moved to St Paul, MN. In 1956, they purchased a brand new home in Roseville, MN. They lived there until April of this year (67 years).

 

He was employed as a sheet metal worker at Trussbilt from 1953 to 1990. His retirement years were spent traveling, gardening, cutting firewood and enjoying the cabin on Spider Lake. His favorite hobby was drinking Pabst beer and telling stories about the good old days. One story he felt was his claim to fame was when he worked for Pullman Company in Chicago as a messenger. Pullman manufactured sleeping cars for the railroad including the presidential train. He was responsible for delivering the invoice for President Roosevelt’s (FDR) funeral train in 1945. This was a memorable moment for a sixteen year old boy. These historic stories will be missed.

 

He was preceded in death by parents, Henry "Hank" and Florence ( née Hamsmith) Hobscheid; brothers, Gerald and Harry.

 

Survived by wife of 69 years, Ruth (née Dickson); son, John of Barronett, WI; daughter, Jane (Dennis) Olson of Centerville, MN; grandchildren, Emily, Rebecca and Matthew Olson; as well as many nieces and nephews.

 

A private gathering for immediate family will be held at a later date to celebrate John’s life.