Edina - Born in Trnava, Slovakia, John Luknic passed away peacefully at age 91. John earned a BA at St. Mary's College and two master's degrees at Mankato State. In 1959 he married Lucrecia Pizarro in Cali, Colombia. They raised three wonderful daughters together. John was a lover of words and cultures, and spoke five languages. He was a talented and well-loved professor, including 23 years teaching Spanish and philosophy at Normandale Community College in Bloomington, MN. John could fix almost anything and became a successful home builder and land developer. He treasured his friends, the day the golf course opened every spring, and that hole-in-one in 1998. He had a passion for gardening, poetry, and painting. John served as the MN Honorary Consul of Slovakia from 1997-2007. He hosted many international visitors with his devoted partner, Marcela Telleria, who was by his side for 34 years. As much as he accomplished, John always sought to make a difference in the lives of everyone he met with his wisdom and generosity.

John is survived by his life partner Marcela Telleria, children Beatrice Forstrom, Alice Luknic (Gary Wint), Virginia Yarce (Omar), their mother Lucrecia Luknic, son in every sense Jeff Stenbeck, nine grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and his beloved sister Mary Ann Hubbard.

He was preceded in death by granddaughter Lauren Forstrom, parents Wendell and Anna (Dohnal) Luknic, brothers Arnold and Otto Luknic, and his loyal labrador mix "Buddy".

Please join us for a memorial service at the Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis at 1600 Hennepin Ave. on Friday, September 26, 2025, starting at 1:30 pm. Livestream Link: https://saintjosephchapel.online.church/