John Charles Greening

John Charles Greening, 73 of La Crescent, MN passed away peacefully in his comfy chair at home waiting to watch his beloved Chicago Bears on Thursday, December 26, 2024.

He was born on March 4, 1951, in Berrien Springs, Michigan to Emil and Ruby (Exum) Greening. John graduated from Buchanan High School in Buchanan, Michigan and was raised on his family’s farm on Red Bud Trail. He attended Michigan State University before touring and serving as the sound tech with the band Peace & Love/Snake and the Armpits. While on tour in Florida, he met Susan Ellis and they were married 11 months later on October 26, 1974, at the Cathedral of St. Joseph the Workman in La Crosse, Wisconsin. They recently celebrated their 50th anniversary.

After touring with the band, he and Susan moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan where he worked at Bronson Hospital before relocating to La Crosse/La Crescent in 1979 where he began his 32-year career at the La Crosse Trane Co. While at Trane, John served as chairman for Local Lodge 21 Machinists Union. He was awarded the union’s 25-year award for his loyalty representing his fellow workers. John retired in October of 2011 to spend more time with his family, especially his grandchildren. To his grandchildren who were his pride and joy, he was the best “Gramps” ever. 

John was active in the La Crescent community and youth sports, including baseball, AAU basketball, wrestling and high school volleyball.

John loved spending time outdoors, camping, gardening, harvesting black walnuts, and deer hunting with the people he loved.

In addition to Susan, the love of his life and his “Susie Cream Cheese” he is survived by three children; Jessica Greening of La Crescent, John Emil (Erin) Greening of La Crescent and Benjamin (Laura) Greening of Seattle; grandchildren, Brandon and Darnell “DJ” Greening, Elijah and Ruby Greening, Arlo, Elijah and Mabel Hunt, Grey and August Greening; sisters, Linda Nyborg of Vale, Oregon, Patricia Strachan of Holland, Michigan and Rhonda McGill of South Bend, Indiana along with many wonderful nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Delores Rindfield; mother and father-in-law, Kathryn and Clement Ellis; brothers-in-law, Douglas Nyborg, Dennis McGill, Vincent McKenna, Richard Ellis, Michael Haugerud and his beloved dog, Zoe.

A memorial service for John will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 4, 2025, at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 21 N. Hill Street, La Crescent with Rev. Libby Howe officiating. Private family burial will be held at a later date. Visitation for John will be held from 5-7 p.m. Friday at the Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services, 111 South Oak Street, La Crescent, and again on Saturday at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the services.