John C. Besse, 66, Sauk Centre

September 8, 1948 - February 16, 2015

John Carlyle Besse, age 66, Sauk Centre, MN, died Monday, February 16, 2015 at the Sauk Centre Hospital.

Funeral services will be Friday, February 20, 2015 at 11:00 AM at First Lutheran Church, Sauk Centre, MN. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Sauk Centre, MN. Funeral arrangements were made by Benson Funeral Home, St. Cloud, MN.

John was born September 8, 1948 in Texarkana, TX to C. L. and Fannie (Cochran) Besse. He married Catherine Stone. They later divorced. On December 31, 2007 John married Linda Ceynar at First Lutheran Church in Sauk Centre, MN.

John received a Bachelors Degree in Anthropology from the University of Arkansas and a Masters in Divinity from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Kansas City, MO. John was a Methodist minister serving parishes in California, Michigan and Texas. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and Shriners Club, serving as Grand Master of Blue Lodge. John was a rabble rouser who wanted to spark change and make the world a better place. He loved theology and enjoyed a good religious debate. John enjoyed all sports, especially football and hockey and was a fan of the Arkansas Razorbacks. He also liked to think that he had strong technology skills.

Survivors include his wife, Linda Besse of Sauk Centre, MN; son, John Besse of Robbinsdale, MN; daughter, Laura (Shane Martin) Watson of Sauk Centre; and three grandchildren, Lily, Kyley and Kaidyn.

He was preceded in death by his parents.