John Raymond Hjortshoj, age 74 of Monroe, passed away on Tuesday, July 4, 2023 at MercyOne Medical Center in Des Moines. John's wishes were to be cremated and a celebration of life will be held on Monday, July 31, 2023 at 10:30 am at the Monroe United Methodist Church.  Burial with military rites will be held following at Silent City Cemetery.  The family will greet friends following the burial at the church with a luncheon.  Memorials may be directed to the PCM Food Pantry, St. Jude Hospital or the Iowa Heart Association. Condolences may be left for the family at www.coburnfuneralhomes.com.

The son of Gunnar and Nevva (Odem) Hjortshoj, John was born on October 30, 1948 in Des Moines, Iowa. John graduated from Monroe High School. Following high school he served in the United States Navy from 1969 to 1973. On January 22, 1966 he married Sharon Karr in Newton, Iowa. John was an electrical safety inspector and electronics technician at the Iowa State University, Ames Lab. He was a member of the Slater United Methodist Church, Kiwanis, and was a hunter safety instructor for over 25 years. John also served on the Slater City Council.

Family, friends, and co-workers will remember John for his kindness, ability to repair and build almost anything, his wisdom, love of nature, sense of humor, willingness to help anyone with anything, compassion, optimism and his stubbornness. He will be greatly missed.

Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Sharon; two sons, Chad Hjortshoj and Matt Hjortshoj; three grandchildren, Stephanie (Jeremy) Peterson, Andrew (Marthe) Hjortshoj, and Eden Hjortshoj; a great granddaughter, Charlotte Peterson; siblings, Paul (June) Hjortshoj and Darrell (Karlin) Hjortshoj; sisters-in-law, Susan (Tracy) Swift and Jen Baker; his father-in-law, Bill Karr and many nieces and nephews. Preceding John in death were his parents, grandparents, an infant son, Shawn, sister and brother-in-law, Carol and Larry Diekema and his mother-in-law, Darlene Karr.