John Alfred Aagenes,6O, of Minne­tonka, MN collapsed and died while jogging near his home on Tuesday evening, September 5, 2017.

He was the eldest son of Orvis and Anne (Borstad) Aagenes, born in Crookston April 10, 1957. He was baptized and confirmed at the Ness Lutheran Church near Gary. He grew up on the family farm in Bear Park Township northeast of Gary, where he received his elementary and secondary education, graduating in 1975. He continued his education at Moorhead State University, where he earned a degree in Industrial Illustration graduating in 1982. A year later, he moved to the cities where he worked in various jobs before deciding to pursue a course in the computer sciences. He eventually obtained a position with Wells Fargo where he was employed as a computer systems analyst until the time of his death.

He enjoyed remodeling his home making changes and updates. He had many interests and hobbies: restoring old clocks to working order, learning to play the guitar and an avid reader. He was a great cook and enjoyed making meals for family and friends. His yard was beautifully landscaped with a wide variety of plant life – he eagerly waited for the new planting seasons so he could go shopping for seeds and plants at the nurseries. He liked to browse and shop at any kind of sale where he often found some item that would be useful or decorative for his home. He was especially fond of artwork and paintings.

For several years he fostered dogs for the Underdog Rescue Organization. Through this association he chose Jake, Dixie and Gracie, American Staf­fordshire Terriers, (do not call them pitbulls!) to be his canine companions, which he loved dearly. There was also Woody, the cockatiel and his newly acquired chickens, that had matured to the point where they "laid five eggs in two days."

John was also providing support for a young boy in a third world country. Tending to be of a private nature, nonetheless, John was a warm friendly person, kind and helpful and an honest, diligent worker, much like his father.

He is survived by his mother, Anne Pederson, of Fertile, his sister, Jane Aagenes of Eden Prairie, his half sister, Ellen Sommer of Excelsior, his brothers, Joel (Darla) of Moorhead, James (Joan Brown) of Fosston, Karl (Catherine) of Rochester and half brother, Orvis, Jr. of Rockwall, TX.  John also leaves, step brothers, Wayne Pederson, Colorado Springs, CO, Kenneth (Phyllis) Pederson, and James Pederson, both of Fertile, Dean Pederson of Venice, FL, and step sister, Eileen Bulzomi, Partlow, VA.  There are also many nieces and nephews, a special aunt, Joan Moen of Fargo, an uncle, aunts and many cousins; and his dog, Gracie.  Also, the many friends in his Minnetonka neighborhood, who were like family to him.

John was preceded in death by his father, stepfather, Ellsworth Pederson, a half brother and grandparents.

Celebration of Life will be 2:30pm, Sunday, October 1, 2017, Maple Lake Lutheran Church, rural Fertile, Minnesota.