John Adrian Lundberg

John Adrian Lundberg, age 79, passed away peacefully at Apple Valley Village on September 9, 2026.

John is survived by his devoted wife, Judy; sons, John R. (Kristy) and Matt (Christina); grandchildren Everett and Abbigayle, children of John R. and Kristy, and Jasper and Juniper, children of Matt and Christina. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ruben and Hazel Lundberg.

John was born on November 13, 1946. He grew up in South Minneapolis and carried fond memories of summers spent on the farm with extended family in Spring Grove, MN. He graduated from Roosevelt High School, class of 1964, and began serving in the Minnesota National Guard in 1965.

John and Judy met on a blind date, a beginning that grew into a marriage of more than 55 years. They were married on May 29, 1971. After John graduated from Augsburg College with a degree in chemistry in 1973, they moved to Columbus, OH, where he worked as a chemist at Ashland Chemical and later earned his MBA. Both of their sons were born in Columbus.

In 1980, John took a new position with Cargill and moved his family to Stone Mountain, GA. The following year, they joined Rock of Ages Lutheran Church, a place that became deeply important to John and helped shape the direction of his faith and life. Through a series of Cursillo church retreats, he began to feel called to ministry. In 1986, he entered the seminary at Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, OH.

John spent his internship year at Saint Paul Lutheran Church in Superior, WI, before being ordained as a Lutheran pastor on August 19, 1990. His first call brought him to United Lutheran Church in Gilbert, MN. During those years, Pastor John helped start North Waters Teens Encounter Christ, a youth ministry retreat that reflected his care for young people and their faith. In 1996, John was called to Faith Lutheran Church in Isle, MN. He later served as interim pastor at Lord of Life in Baxter, MN, and Bethany Church in Onamia, MN.

John had a way of helping church communities find their footing. He cared deeply about creating places where people, especially young people, could grow in faith, build friendships, and feel part of something meaningful.

John retired from ministry in 2020 and enjoyed quiet days at the lake before he and Judy moved to Richfield, MN, in 2023.

Standing six foot five, John was hard to miss. He loved fishing, watching the lake, following sports, especially golf and auto racing, and listening to Garrison Keillor and “A Prairie Home Companion.” He enjoyed country music, good barbecue, fried chicken, seafood, and peanut M&Ms. His family will remember him in those everyday comforts, in the faith he shared, and the presence he brought to their lives.