John "Jack" Vogel

John J. “Jack” Vogel, 94, of Duluth, passed away peacefully with family by his side. He was born on July 24, 1931, in St. Paul, MN to Henry and Mary Vogel.  John served in the military during the Korean Conflict. He achieved the rank of Sergeant as a Radar and Missile Electronics Specialist.  After his service he used the GI Bill to go to the University of Minnesota graduating with a degree in Forest Management in 1959. During this time, he also served as the President of the Forestry Club.  John got married to his sweetheart Dolores LaRocque on June 13th, 1959.

John and Dolores were then hired for Fire Watch serving in a fire tower in Montana for the summer. This was the start of a career where John shared his love of the outdoors and wilds with everyone, especially his family.

John was then hired into the US Forest Service working his way from an entry level position to Forest Supervisor of the Halfway and Kawishiwi Districts. During this time, John managed the contentious conversion of the BWCA to the BWCAW (Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness). Using his personal skills John was able to be an advocate for the community while also implementing the legislated changes that defined the conflict of the times. John was the Fire Boss of the Little Sioux Fire in 1971. John and family were later transferred to the Hiawatha District in upper Michigan.

After the Forest Service, John was the co-owner MARVO Concrete products and an employment councilor for Minnesota’s CETA (Comprehensive Employment Training Act) helping low income, long-term unemployed, and underemployed workers.

In 1979 John started a 20-year career with St. Louis County ultimately becoming Land Commissioner. John worked to build an efficient and professional organization with a focus on benefiting people of St. Louis County. During that time, John served in a number of professional organizations and governor appointed commissions including the Great Lakes Commission. John lobbied at the state legislature. John also testified before US Congress a number of times.

John was a long-time parishioner of St. Benedict’s Catholic Church. John was one of the founding members of KC Council 8337. John wanted to share his faith with others. He designed and personally built the Marian Shrine at St. Benedict’s Church. The Marian Shrine was dedicated in 1995. John later designed and led the development of the prayer walk (Way of the Cross) with Dick Gore, other KC members and many parishioners.

John enjoyed woodworking, reading, fishing, hunting, shooting and painting.

John was preceded in death by his parents, siblings Bernard Vogel, Elizabeth Wilerding, Rita Moshier, A. Thomas Vogel and James Vogel.

John is survived by his wife Dolores, William (Cheryl) Vogel, Christopher (Paula) Vogel, Theresa (Vern) Caturia, Jeanette (Bruce) Beatty, Paul (Jill) Vogel, Steven (April) Vogel, and Thomas (Anna) Vogel, grandchildren Misty (Cole) Lovejoy, Ryan Vogel, Victoria Vogel, Christie Vogel, Lewis, Alex (Caitlin), and Tim Caturia, Anthony (Caitlin), John (Audrey) and Ben Bijold, Henry, William, and Kate Vogel, Frank Blatnik, Alexis and Jack Vogel and Kayla Vogel, and great grandchildren Aubrey, Olivia and Eden, and a sister Mary (Simon) Hellerman.

Visitation will be held on Thursday July 16, 2026, in Dougherty Funeral Home, 600 E. 2nd St. Duluth, MN 55805 from 5PM to 7PM with a 6:30PM Rosary Recitation. Visitation will continue Friday from 10AM until the 11AM Mass of Christian Burial in St. Benedict Catholic Church. 1419 St. Benedict Street, Duluth, MN 55811. Burial will be in the Church of St. Peter Cemetery on Monday at 11:00AM. 1405 Sibley Memorial Highway, Mendota, MN 55150. In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to the Diocese of Northern Alaska, 1316 Peger Rd., Fairbanks, AK 99709.