On July 16th, 2024, the Lord our God called his servant, John “JD” Deters home to his eternal resting place in Heaven. JD’s life began on October 25th, 1939 born to Frank and Angeline Deters in Stearns County, Minnesota. In his early years, JD helped on the family farm and went to school. Although he left school early on, he continued to help on the family farm. JD held many jobs throughout his life. He picked rocks from farm fields for 50 cents per day and castrated sheep on another farm. At the age of 16, he started working for an implement dealer repairing Ford tractors. He even dabbled in airplane repair and took flying lessons. At about the age of 17, he worked for Midway Ford along with moonlighting as a bartender. When JD was 18 years old, he began driving semi-truck. On one of his routes, JD was involved in a terrible accident where he had to make a life-or-death decision: either hit a family which had crossed the centerline head-on or take the ditch and risk his own life. He chose the latter. JD moved on to become a mechanic for Union Construction and then at A.E. Rodger’s Pontiac Oldsmobile Cadillac. In 1962, JD married his wife and partner in life, JoAnn Cesafsky. With JoAnn by his side, they raised three children: Andrea, John, and Jack. His next job at Aring Equipment Company fueled his passion for repairing large farm and road machinery for several years. His next venture, with JoAnn’s support and encouragement, was going into business for himself and opening JD Heavy Equipment Service and Repair in Altoona, Wisconsin. After 25 years of repairing heavy machinery all over the state of Wisconsin, he retired for a brief period before buying a repair shop in Fall Creek, Wisconsin, again with JoAnn’s unending support. He later purchased a one pump gas station next door and expanded it to four pumps with a convenience store to make it full-service and was known as Fall Creek One Stop. 

JD was a 35-year member of the Altoona Lions Club participating at many events grilling chicken and selling raffle tickets. As a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus, he also grilled chicken for many years at the annual Fall Festival. JD also had a passion for shaking dice. He enjoyed shaking dice with his friends, especially if there was a wager or a prize involved. At Circle Pines Resort in Wascott, WI near JD’s hunting land, JD would shake dice with his friend Bucky for chicken dinners. JD also loved hunting and fishing, especially with his grandsons. 

JD is survived by his children: Andrea (Monty) Thilmony of Maplewood, MN; John Deters of Sacramento, CA; and Jack (Melissa) Deters of Altoona, WI. His brothers: Tom (Sharon) Deters of Mena, AR; Jim (Debbie Bromenshenkel) Deters of Sauk Centre, MN; and Gene (Julie Stepan) Deters of West Union, MN. His grandchildren: Joseph (Jessica), Cole, and Jackson Deters; Carley (Adam), Tyler, and Ashley Thilmony; sister-in-laws: Isabel Hundley and Jeanette Cesafsky; and many nieces and nephews, 

JD was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Angeline Deters; his wife of 58 years, JoAnn; his siblings: Mary Moser, Rita Bona, Donna Deters, Richard Deters, Mike Deters; brother-in-laws: Larry Moser, Tom Bona, John "Jack" Cesafsky, and Gene Cesafsky; and granddaughter, Samantha Thilmony 

The family would like to thank the staff of Mayo Hospice for their care of JD over the last few months, especially Angie. 

Services will be held on Friday, August 16th at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Altoona. Visitation starts at 12:00pm and Mass at 1:00pm. A private interment will follow Mass for the family. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 17th at The 400 Club in Altoona from 11:00am-2:00pm. We look forward to hearing any memories you have of him.

Cremation Society of Wisconsin, Altoona is assisting the family.  Online condolences may be shared at www.cremationsociety-wi.com.