John David Mills

John David Mills, 89, of Lake Crystal, passed away on August 31, 2026. John will be interred with military honors in a private family Christian burial at Holy Family Cemetery.

John was born March 18, 1937, to Arthur and Francis (Young) Mills on the family farm near Franklin, MN. He met his future wife, Joanne (Jo) Marie Mills in high school; the couple shared a birthday (to the hour). They graduated in 1955 and married in 1958. They moved to Fairfax, MN where their first child (Robin Marie) was born. In 1963, they then moved to Redwood Falls, MN where Daniel David was born. The next move was in 1968 to Lake Crystal, MN where Curtis Allen was born.

Master Sergeant John Mills was a man of service. At 17, signed up for the Minnesota National Guard and served for 38 years, 10 months, and 2 days. While in the Guard, he worked full-time as a technician and Guardsman at the Mankato and St. James Armories.

When Robin, his daughter, decided to join an AFS Study Away program, he volunteered to serve as their treasurer, a role held for numerous years. His talents as a treasurer led to serving in the same role with the Grace Thrift Store in Lake Crystal where he served for many years.

Upon retirement, his dedication to service continued. During "tax season," John and Jo were AARP Tax-Aide volunteers for more than 10 years. The couple also traveled the country in their 5th wheel camper and particularly enjoyed the large camper shows. At one show, they discovered Car-a-Vanners, an organization that signed up campers for Habitat for Humanity builds. John routinely left in March for his first build of the season and wrapped up his travels in late October. In total over his many years of service, John worked on 97 builds across 37 states and was the #3 Car-a-Vanner only surpassed by two builders who worked year around. Technically, John was the #1seasonal Care-a-Vanner in the USA. His final build was in Fall 2025 at age 88.

John is survived by his daughter Robin Mills of Sioux Falls and her children Lily, Ta'te, and Armani; son Daniel Cronn-Mills of North Mankato and his wife Kirstin and son Shae; son Curtis Mills of St. Peter and wife Kaye and children Alexa Zarn, Nicholas Zarn, and Benjamin Zarn; and his sisters Barb Kiergaard, and Shirley (Bill) Arendt.

John was preceded in death by his wife Joanne, his parents, his sister MaryAnn and brother-in-law Hardy Hodge.

Memorials to the Alzheimer's Association are preferred in memory of Joanne.