John S. Kozlak

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Kozlak, John S. "Jack" age 84. Born 4/20/28 in Mpls. Preceded by parents, Joseph and Gertrude, sister, Gloria and brother, Joseph Jr. Graduate of Edison High School and St. Thomas College. Married in 1949 to Ruth Wichmann. Former co-owner of JAX Café and founder of Kozlak's Royal Oak Restaurant. Jack worked in the restaurant industry from 1943 to 1991. He was elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 1968. Served on the Metropolitan Council from 1971 - 1975. He was elected to National Restaurant Board of Directors in 1980. He later served as president of the Minnesota Restaurant Association from 1982-1983. Jack was inducted into the Midwest Hall of Fame in 1993 serving the Midwest Food and Beverages Expo in St. Paul. Inducted into Minnesota Hospitality Hall of Fame in 2005. Survived by his loving wife, Ruth; children, Mark Kozlak, Diane Kozlak (Gary Ellis), Mary (Paul) Myers, Lynn (Mark) Satt, Paul (Lauren) Kozlak and Carol (John) Braun; twelve grandchildren and one great-grandson; brother, Bill (Kathy) Kozlak; sister-in- law, Helen Kozlak and daughter-in- law, Connie Kozlak. He was the author of "The Fun Is In the Struggle" published in 1996 which was dedicated to his grandchildren so they could understand why their paternal great-grandparents immigrated to the United States and also so they could better understand the three generations that preceded them. Visitation at KOZLAK-RADULOVICH CHAPEL 1918 University Ave. NE Thursday from 5 to 8 PM. Vigil Prayers Thursday at 7 PM. Mass of Christian Burial at the CHURCH OF THE HOLY CROSS 17TH Ave. NE & University Ave. Friday at 10 AM with visitation one hour prior. Interment Sunset Cemetery. Memorials preferred to ARC or Mayo Clinic. kozlakradulovich.com "A Celebration of Life" 612-789-8869

Published on July 29, 2012