John Waffensmith

John Ray Waffensmith, age 87 of Bay Lake Township died on November 30, 2019 at Golden Horizons in Aitkin.  He was born on October 11, 1932 in Brainerd to Ralph and Ida (Swing) Waffensmith.  John graduated from the Agriculture School in Grand Rapids.  He farmed in the Bay Lake Area with turkey and beef operation for many years.  He married Delores Ferrari on September 13, 1952.  John was co-owner and operator of the Crosby Bar, Snow Hut Marina and Snowmobile dealership, earning the honor of having the largest Scorpion Dealership in the world. For 20 years he was employed at the Mille Lacs Lake Grand Casino as a security guard.    He was well known as Lamont Sanford of the Sanford and Son fame in many local parades.  John married Amy Beach-Hale on October 15, 1988.

John is survived by his wife Amy; two sons, John Waffensmith of Englewood, CO, and Greg (Kim) Waffensmith of Deerwood; three daughters, Pam Weber of Clearwater, Sue (Bill) Gordon of Crosby, Debbie Vukelich of Buffalo; step son, Steven Hale of Sartell; two step daughters, Lori (Rick) Paulson of Deerwood and Sherri Phillips of Hackensack; former spouse, Delores “Dode” Waffensmith of Deerwood; one brother, Albert Waffensmith of Glendale, AZ; 13 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren, 3 great-great grandchildren; 7 step grandchildren and 13 step great grandchildren. 

Preceding John in death are his parents; one brother, Robert Waffensmith and two grandchildren, Maria Waffensmith and Zachary Waffensmith.

A Pray Service will be held 1:30 p.m. Sunday, December 8, 2019 at the Koop Funeral Home in Crosby.  A memorial gathering will be from noon until 2:00 pm.  Burial will be at the Bay Lake Cemetery in Bay Lake Township. Memorials are preferred to St. Croix Hospice.  Reception will be at the Deerwood Legion following the committal at Bay Lake Cemetery.