John "Jack" Wilke Soetebier

DULUTH, Minn. - John "Jack" Wilke Soetebier, of Duluth, died on April 21, 2020, with his family by his side.

Jack was born on Aug. 26, 1928, to Alfred and Elsie (Wilke) Soetebier in Wakefield, Michigan. He married Virginia Mattson on April 8, 1951. Jack proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

Jack owned the Patty Cake Shop in Duluth for over 40 years - the best bakery ever! He was an avid pilot, scuba diver, sailor, and all-around adventurer. Jack was a member of the Duluth Keel Club, Apostle Islands Yacht Club, and the Duluth Power Squadron, where he served as the commodore. He was also one of the founders of the Trans Superior Sailboat Race, of which he sailed five times and won his class once. On a more local level, Jack was a frequent winner of many a regatta. He was past president and 52-year member of the Duluth Rotary Club 25 with perfect attendance.

He is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Traula; brother, Richard; and son, Kurt Soetebier.

He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Virginia; brother, William (Mary) Soetebier of Dallas, Georgia; daughters, Lynn Soetebier, of St. Paul, and her children Nicholas and Jon Thurn; Laura (Patrick Burns) Soetebier of Minneapolis, and their children Alyssa Soetebier and Alexandra (Jordan) Rincon; Gretchen Soetebier of Duluth and her son Max Maus; and Heidi (David) Nessa of Hermantown and their daughter Karlyn Nessa; as well as Dieter, Fred, and Amelia Soetebier, children of deceased son Kurt; and great-grandchildren Raul and Selena Rincon, Hayden Soetebier and Hope Hoekstra; and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Jacks life will be held at a later date. A private burial will take place at the Riverside Cemetery in Ironwood, Michigan. Memorials may be directed to the Duluth Rotary Club 25, 207 W. Superior St., Suite 201, Duluth, MN 55802.

Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home of Duluth.