John W. Korngiebel

Obituary

John Walter Korngiebel was born on March 28, 1933, in Hutchinson, Minnesota. He was the son of Walter and Leona (Semerau) Korngiebel. John was baptized as an infant and later confirmed in his faith as a youth, both at Peace Lutheran Church in Hutchinson. He received his education in Hutchinson Schools, graduating with his later on second wife, Dorothy McKee, in 1951.

John entered in the School of Architecture at the University of Minnesota in 1951. He completed two years of undergraduate studies before being drafted into the United States Army on January 20, 1954, during the Korean Conflict as a Radar Specialist. He served his country for two years in Germany. John was honorably discharged on July 1, 1956, and achieved the rank of Specialist Third Class. He returned to the University of Minnesota to finish his Bachelors of Architecture Degree, graduating in 1957.

John was employed in a number of architectural firms in the Twin Cities before opening his own office in Hutchinson. John’s goal was to practice architecture in-state especially in his home town. Korngiebel Architecture created many projects in Hutchinson including, the library, the museum, West Elementary K-1 School, High School Vocational addition, the new fairgrounds, fire station, rec center, Ridgewater addition, and the HTI Campus 1972-1990. Outstate commissions include HTI plants and offices in Sioux Falls and Eau Claire, Mankato University Advance Building, and the RCC Cellular corporate office in Alexandria, Minnesota.

John was first married to Janet Zeiss in 1957. This marriage was blessed with two children, Mark and Leslie. Janet was a supportive wife and mother. The family lived in the cities until moving to Hutchinson in 1970. Many memorable summers were spent at the family cabin on Lake Jenny. In 1989, John was united in marriage to Dorothy McKee. They built a new house in Minnetrista, Minnesota, where they lived for 10 years before returning to Hutchinson, where John built Dorothy the home of her dreams in Judson Woods. John spent many years at Dorothy’s bedside after she developed dementia in 1990. They shared 33 years of marriage, until Dorothy passed away on March 19, 2022.

During their first 10 years, John and Dorothy traveled worldwide in 10 countries and four continents, their last travel in their camper was to the 48 states and Canada. John loved nature and the outdoors. He had a passion for fishing and hunting, which he enjoyed into his 80’s. John stayed active in his company, Korngiebel Management, traveling to his apartment developments in western Minnesota.

John passed away on Friday, January 3, 2025, at his home in Judson Woods, at the age of 91 years.

Blessed be his memory.

John is survived by his:
Children, Mark Korngiebel,
Leslie Korngiebel-Zeiss;
Stepchildren, Steve Ramler,
Deanne Lentz and her husband, John,
Mary Larson and her husband, Jeffrey;
Grandchildren, Michele, Ryan, Jack, Meg, and Sarah;
Great-grandson, Leo;
Many other relatives and friends.

John is preceded in death by his Parents Walter and Leona Korngiebel; First Wife, Janet Korngiebel (Zeiss); Second Wife, Dorothy Korngiebel; Sister, Norma Cowman.