NORTH MANKATO — John T. Stevenson, age 75, of North Mankato, Minn., passed away on April 2, 2026. He was born on Dec. 16, 1950, in St. Paul, Minn., to Richard E. Stevenson and Marie (Swearingen) Stevenson.

On Aug. 2, 1974, John married Norma Hughes, with whom he shared 42 years of marriage and raised four sons: Jon, Donald, Kevin, and Robert. Norma preceded him in death in 2016. On Oct. 12, 2019, John married his widowed sister-in-law, Carol (Kern) Stevenson, who remained his loving, dedicated wife until his passing.

John graduated from Cretin High School in 1968. He proudly served his country in the Minnesota Air National Guard, earning the rank of Staff Sergeant. In 1971, John began a long and dedicated career with the Eagan Police Department. He was a talented detective who received specialized training in Homicide and Child Abuse Investigation. Attending night school at Metropolitan State University, John earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice. He retired from the police force in 1995, having achieved the rank of Lieutenant.

John then entered the real estate profession. He earned his broker’s license and along with a partner, they owned Dakota Central Real Estate Company in Rosemount, Minn. After eight years, John sold his share in the company and took a retirement job transporting students to the Minnesota State Academies for the Deaf and the Blind in Faribault, Minn. John found great joy serving as a bus driver, and he took pride in it every day. John fully retired from the workforce in 2013.

John was a devoted family man and a proud patriot. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping. He treasured Thursday Date Night with Carol and looked forward to it with anticipation every week. Known as a “professional hobbyist,” John always had a new project that he was implementing or researching. He had a great sense of humor, a love for music, and was a loyal Minnesota sports fan.

John is survived by his wife, Carol Stevenson; his sons Jon (Nichole), Donald (Alana McDevitt), Kevin, and Robert (Elinor Bradbury); his grandchildren Bradley Waldoch, Sean Stevenson, and Caitlin Stevenson; his stepchildren Erica Stevenson and Gary (Kira) Stevenson; and his siblings Susan (Paul) Krocheski, Mary Beth (Tom) Davis, James (Cathy) Stevenson, Patricia Capistrant, and Kathy (Dan) Maiers. He is also survived by Norma’s siblings; Barbara (Paul) Williams, Pam (Tom) Ernst, and Almon Hughes. John’s life-long best friend, Tim Sullivan, also survives.

John was preceded in death by parents, Richard and Marie Stevenson; wife, Norma; brother Mark Stevenson; nephew Chris Dedrickson; and his brothers- and sisters-in-law Donald Dedrickson, Mark Capistrant, Jack and Sheila McLain, April Kern Rademaker; parents-in-law Jan Palmer-Warren and Oliver Hughes.

An evening visitation will be held Friday, April 17, from 5 to 7 p.m. at O’Halloran & Murphy Funeral Home (575 South Snelling Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55116). On Saturday, April 18, at Lumen Christi (2055 Bohland Ave, St Paul, MN 55116), there will be a one-hour visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m., followed by Mass at 10:30 a.m., with lunch to follow and burial thereafter at Resurrection Cemetery.

John will be remembered for his dedication to his family, his service to his country and community, his remarkable leadership skills, his humor, and his deep appreciation for life’s simple joys. His legacy will live on in all who knew and loved him.

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