Warden, Beryl Edward Jr.

Beryl Edward “Jack” Warden Jr., Lt. Colonel, USAF (Retired)

March 09, 1932 – April 12, 2021

Beryl Edward ‘Jack’ Warden, Jr, died April 12, 2021, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Brainerd, MN, from Parkinson’s Disease caused by exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam where he served as a rescue helicopter pilot for the Air Force.

Jack was born in Wilkinsburg, PA, March 9, 1932, and graduated from high school at Shady Side Academy, Fox Chapel, PA, in 1950. He and Louise were married June 7, 1952, in Washington, D.C. Upon graduation from University of Maryland, 1955, he joined the U.S. Air Force via the ROTC program and later graduated from helicopter flight school. Jack served for 20 years, retiring in 1975 as a Lt. Colonel.

The family then moved to Nisswa with Jack and Louise taking ownership of his parents’ small resort. For six days each week he walked to Nisswa post office stopping, visiting, and starting the day knowing everyone in downtown Nisswa was alright. Jack served on Nisswa City Council from 1979-1986, then served as Mayor of Nisswa from 1987-1990. He served as a bank director of Nisswa State/Lakewood Bank for 20 years and ran the “Nisswa Turtle Races” for 13 years. In 1994, he was acclaimed Nisswa’s Citizen of the Year.

With other parents/family members, Jack and Louise opened the first group home for Prader-Willi Syndrome adults in MN in 1981 in Minnetonka. In 1993, he and Louise developed their 5-acre resort into townhomes with approval from local and state governments in 1996. He later became president of Oakwood Assistance Fund for MN Prader-Willi Syndrome adults in 1998, serving until 2017.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Beryl and Leah, his sister Mary Louise Prim, son Chris. Survivors include his wife, Louise; and his daughter, Kathleen.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Tyler Dunphy of Brainerd Medical Center for his dedicated care and support, all staff in Emergency Department at St. Joseph’s Hospital and all the staff on the 6th floor. A celebration of Life services to be held at Lutheran Church of the Cross in Nisswa on Saturday, July 24, 2021, at 11 a.m. with lunch to follow.

Memorials can be sent to Lutheran Church of the Cross in Nisswa or the Nisswa First Responders.

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Nisswa, Minnesota

Beryl Edward “Jack” Warden, Jr., 89, of Nisswa, passed away Monday, April 12, 2021 at Essentia Health – St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Brainerd. A Private Interment at Greenwood Cemetery in Nisswa is planned.  The family will host a Celebration of Jack’s Life at a later date.

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