Obituary for John E. Meyer

Born November 28, 1946, in Spring Grove, MN to Lawrence & Doris (Leuhr) Meyer. John grew up on the family farm in Wilmington Township, where he grew to love farming alongside his father and grandfather, Edwin Leuhr. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Luke’s in Eitzen, MN. After graduating from Spring Grove Public School in 1964, John worked at Automatic Sprinklers out of Minneapolis for several years.

He was a proud Marine, and carried that discipline, strength, and sense of duty with him throughout his life. He attended basic training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) in San Diego, CA in November of 1965, and did his Advanced Individual Training at the Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, FL where he trained as a helicopter and jet mechanic. During his time in the Marines, he met many lifelong friends. After serving his country until November 1971, he returned to the life he loved, as a farmer.

He met the love of his life, Bonita, at Knotty Pine in Dorchester, IA and they married on May 25, 1979, by the Justice of the Peace in Caledonia, MN and married again April 17, 1984, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Dorchester, IA. Together they raised their 6 children at the family farm. Bonita stood faithfully by John’s side through every season of life. She worked tirelessly alongside him on the farm, sharing in both the hard times and the good. John often said that Bonita was the most honest woman he had ever met, and he loved her deeply.

Big John was a man with bold presence, he was spunky, loud, and completely unforgettable. His sharp sense of humor and booming laugh could fill a room, and his stories, often “embellishing the truth,” were legendary. To some who didn’t know him well, he could be intimidating, even a little bit scary. But to those lucky enough to truly know him, you got to see the man behind the tough exterior. He was deeply loving and incredibly sensitive. His heart was gold, and he protected the people he loved with fierce devotion, including the gravel roads- he was enduringly called the Wilmington cop. If you were in his circle, you felt it- his loyalty, his warmth, and his deep, unwavering care. John poured his heart into working the fields and caring for his animals, including his beloved dog, Macy. John continued to farm until April of 2025.

His faith in God was the foundation of who he was. John lived with confidence in his choices, peace in his path, and assurance in his destination. That deep faith brings comfort to his family, knowing he is now reunited with those who’ve gone before him and resting in the presence of the Lord.

John is survived by his wife, Bonita Meyer; six children, Jeff Urell Zezulka, Trisha (Chad) Jensen, Brandi (Reggie) Schwartzhoff, Brenda (Kiersten Brickell) Weiss, Jack Meyer, and Briana Meyer; twelve grandchildren, Dakota (Jessica Bollman), Mason and Olivia Brown, Alaxzandra Fortsch, Aleesha and Hunter Oviatt, Creedance, Jaden, Madi, Lincoln (Marz) Weiss, and Jordan and Cody Jensen; two great-grandchildren, Brantley Fortsch and Brayan Brown; a brother-in-law, Stan Danielson; a sister, Sharon Meyer; a nephew, Dewy (Tiffany) Danielson; three great-nephews, Jordan (Josephine) Wennes, and Brady and Conor Danielson; and two great-nieces, Zoe and Payton Danielson. He is also survived by his sister and brothers-in-law, Diana (Tom) Deeny, Arnold (Shirley) Zezulka, Gail (Ron) Curtin, John Zezulka, Amy (Ferdie) Garcia, Carmen (John Farley) McCormick, Earl Jr., (Heather) Zezulka, Angie Zezulka, and several other nieces and nephews.

John also leaves behind a very special man who was like a son to him, Sean Onsgard, along with Sean’s wife, Rose, and their two children, Walter and Stella. It brought John deep peace to know that Sean and Walter would continue farming the land he cherished and carrying on the legacy of his cattle bloodline running back to 1863, preserving a piece of history and a part of John’s heart.

John is preceded in death by his grandparents; parents; Doris and Lawrence Meyer; mother and father-in-law, Dorthy and Earl Zezulka; mother and father-in-law, Lela and John Urell; brothers-in-law, Ed Zezulka and Jim Zezulka; nephew, Dennis Danielson; daughter-in-law, Tina Brown; and many lifelong friends.

John’s presence in the lives of his family and friends was larger than life, and the loss of that presence leaves an emptiness words cannot fill. But his love, laughter, and lessons live on in the hearts of his loved ones, in the soil of the farm he worked, and in every “embellished” story retold around a kitchen table.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at St. Luke’s Church in Eitzen.

A celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., at St. Luke’s Church. Rev. Michael D. McCann will officiate. Burial with military honors will follow, in the church cemetery. A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m., until the time of service, Wednesday, at the church.

Fredrickson Funeral Homes and Crematory, Caledonia Chapel, is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be offered on this site.