John R. Pasten, 55, of Flagstaff, Ariz., died on Tuesday, June 17, 2008 at Flagstaff Medical Center.
John was born on Nov. 15, 1952 in Chicago, Ill., to John & Doris (Neumann) Pasten. The family moved to Big Falls, Minn., where John started school, but soon returned to Chicago where he attended Barry Elementary School four years, until finally relocating to Minnesota for the remainder of his education, graduating from Littlefork-Big Falls High School.
Growing up in Big Falls on the banks of the Big Fork River, John loved the outdoors, spending a lot of his free time fishing and hunting. He worked as a logger in the north woods until moving to Arizona in 1991, securing a position with High Desert Investment Company, where he never missed a day of work, including the day he died. In his role as main skidder operator, John was well liked and respected among his fellow loggers.
Survived by daughter, Jessica Pasten of Northome, Minn., grandson Ethan Shull; sister, Joanne (Richard) Hufnagle of Big Falls, Minn.; brothers Dale Olson of International Falls, Minn., and Doug Olson of Superior, Wisc.
A memorial service will be held at River of God Church in Big Falls on Tuesday, July 22, 2008, at 3 pm.