John William Wilzbacher

John William Wilzbacher

November 3, 1943 – May 19, 2026

John William Wilzbacher, formerly of Winona, MN, and most recently of Lander, WY, passed away peacefully on May 19, 2026, surrounded by the family he loved so deeply.

John leaves behind a legacy built on the quiet, steady way he lived. He believed that the greatest things entrusted to us—our country, the land, our families, and one another—were meant to be cared for with integrity. Throughout his life, he answered many callings, each with the same devotion, humility, and attention to detail that became the hallmark of who he was.

Born on November 3, 1943, to Leo and Helen Wilzbacher, John was raised in St. Paul, MN alongside his siblings, JoAnn (Patrick) Lee, Betty Wilzbacher, James Wilzbacher, Thomas (Lynne) Wilzbacher, and Rosemary (William) Hanson. The values he learned early—faith, responsibility, hard work, and gratitude—became the foundation of his life and the inheritance he would later pass to his children and grandchildren.

John proudly served in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War as a military photographer, correspondent, and information officer. Though he rarely sought recognition for his service, being a Marine remained part of his identity for the rest of his life. He carried deep respect for those who served beside him and never forgot the sacrifices made during war.

If the Marine Corps shaped John’s character, the outdoors shaped his soul.

After his military service, John devoted his career to the Minnesota State Park system, serving briefly at St. Croix State Park, Flandrau State Park, and spending most of his career managing O. L. Kipp State Park, now Great River Bluffs State Park. There he found work that felt less like a profession and more like a calling.

John helped build Great River Bluffs into a place where generations of visitors could experience the beauty of the Mississippi River Valley. He developed trails, protected native landscapes, preserved scenic overlooks, and cared for the land with extraordinary pride. He believed that anything worth doing was worth doing well, and his careful stewardship can still be seen in the park today. The trails remain. The overlooks still welcome visitors. His work continues to bless people he never met.

The park was more than his workplace—it was home. Together, John and Virginia “Gini” Wilzbacher raised their five children in the park manager’s residence, where woods, hills, gardens, trails, tree forts, apple trees, and snowy sledding hills became the backdrop of childhood. He taught his children to love creation not through lectures, but by inviting them into it.

John taught his children to ski, hunt, fish, camp, paddle, and explore. He built a canoe by hand and later shared countless adventures in it with Gini. He believed some of life’s greatest lessons were learned outdoors—in patience, perseverance, quiet observation, and gratitude for the beauty that surrounds us.

Yet if you asked John what made him proudest, the answer would have been simple: his family.

He is survived by his children: Jonathan (Rachal), Jeremy (Sarah), Joseph (Amanda), Jeffrey (Stephanie), and Anne; his beloved grandchildren, Jack, William, Cy, Joey, Sam, Elle, Greyson, Lucy, and Leona; his siblings and their children; and Virginia “Gini” Wilzbacher, the mother of their five children.

John delighted in the accomplishments of those he loved. He attended games, celebrated graduations, encouraged careers, supported dreams, and never missed an opportunity to tell someone how proud he was of his children and grandchildren. His home became a gallery of their lives, filled with photographs, awards, newspaper clippings, keepsakes, and reminders of the people who mattered most to him.

Perhaps nowhere was that more evident than in the cards he sent. John never chose a greeting card quickly. He searched until he found exactly the right one, then filled it with thoughtful notes, encouragement, reflections, and often one of his own playful drawings. It was a simple act, but one that reflected the care he brought to those he loved.

That same care found expression in everything he loved. He was a lifelong stamp collector, an avid reader, a Harley-Davidson rider, a woodworker, and a lover of music—from Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald to James Brown and classic country music. He enjoyed gathering family and friends around a table, sharing stories over burgers, popcorn, black licorice, chips and salsa, or an occasional rum and Coke. He appreciated beautiful craftsmanship, treasured family heirlooms, and found joy in traditions passed from one generation to the next.

John’s favorite lessons were rarely spoken outright. Instead, they were demonstrated in the way he lived: pay attention to the details, don’t cut corners, take pride in your work, keep your word, and show up for the people you love.

In his later years, those closest to him witnessed another lesson—how to let go with grace. Independent by nature, John continued doing what he could for himself for as long as possible, but when life required surrender, he met it with quiet dignity. Even as he released responsibilities and possessions that had once meant so much, his strength remained unmistakable.

His family will remember the reassuring grip of his hand, a grip that somehow communicated both strength and tenderness. They will remember the patience with which he pruned his beloved rose bushes, the roses he delighted in giving to Anne and to Gini, the stories he never tired of telling.

His legacy lives on in the family he cherished, the land he lovingly stewarded, and the countless people whose lives were made richer by his generosity, craftsmanship, quiet faith, and unwavering integrity.

The trails he built remain.

The traditions he nurtured continue.

The songs he loved still play.

The stories he shared are still told.

And the love he so faithfully passed on will continue to carry forward for generations to come.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Thomas More Church, 1079 Summit Avenue, St. Paul, Minnesota, on November 23, 2026, at 11:00am. A visitation will be held at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the mass. Burial and reception will follow.

John’s family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the caregivers of Anam Cara Caregiving for the extraordinary compassion, dignity, and love they showed him. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made in his honor to Anam Cara Caregiving online at anamcaracaregiving.org/donate.

Please sign the online guestbook: hudsonsfh.com.