John Edward Tabaka passed away November 7, 2017 at St. Joseph's Hospital in Brainerd, Minnesota.  John was born on July 24, 1959 to Francis “Ozzie” and Barbara “Bobbie” (Hardwick) Tabaka in Houston, Texas.  He was the fifth of six siblings sharing a household with three girls and three boys.  He always considered his family as the "Brady Bunch."  Along with the entire family they would spend their summer vacations in northern Minnesota as his father was born and raised in Longville.  John didn't have a real passion for school, but loved to work instead, so made the decision to do so.  His father owned a heating and air conditioning business, so he decided he wanted to learn the trade and he also went to work in the construction industry.

While vacationing in Longville one summer he met Lisa Dee, experienced love at first sight, and he made her his true love for the rest of his life.  He asked her to move to Texas with him numerous times and on September 29, 1978 she did make the move along with their seven-month old daughter Jessey.  Due to Lisa's passion for family, in 1981 they decided to move together back to Longville.  John never really liked the cold winters in Minnesota, but soon learned to tolerate them.  After some time, he would go on vacations and was proud to tell people, "We live in the woods, God's Country."   On New Year's Eve in 1984 John and Lisa were married.  On May 12, 1995 John and Lisa were blessed with a son, Jordan Eli.  John worked for Gary Slagle Construction, did some odd construction jobs and eventually started his own construction company.  John loved to do some trapping, hunting, play church softball league, fish and in the last 20 years he would only want to deer hunt with a camera.  Due to John's compassion for family and friends he would happily go out of his way to help out at all times.  He loved to socialize with them, laugh with them and always thrived to be the center of attention. 

John has been reunited with his parents; Francis and Barbara Tabaka and his brother; Steven Tabaka.

Those he leaves behind to cherish his memory are his wife; Lisa Tabaka of Longville, his children; Jessica (Jacob) Tabaka of Kerrville, TX and Jordan Tabaka of Longville, grandson; Grayson Tabaka, sisters; Janice Fenske, Mary (Sam) Cooper and Susan (Glen) Case all of Houston, TX, brother; David Tabaka of Ingram, TX and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 15, 2017 at St. Edward’s Catholic Church in Longville, MN.  A one hour visitation be held prior to services at the church.  Father Keith Bertram will officiate.  Helping to lay John to rest are Ken Skurka, Larry Heberling, Ryan Hanson, Cade Bednarski, Troy Likens, Jamie Johnson, Dan Cozza and Charlie Campbell.  Interment will be in the Riverside Cemetery at Longville, MN following services at the church.

John’s care has been entrusted to Northern Peace Funeral Home of Walker, MN.  Online condolences for the family may be left at www.northernpeace.com