John W. Hancock

John W. Hancock, 70, formerly of Fargo, ND passed away on Monday, December 26, 2022, at Halstad Living Center, Halstad, MN.

John Wayne Hancock, the son of Robert and Anna (Coon) Hancock was born in Moorhead, Minnesota on February 28, 1952.  He would often say he was “an almost leap-year baby.” During his early years of life, the family lived in Fargo, Jamestown, and Woodworth, ND.  When John was 6 years old, his mother passed away in Woodworth and his life took a sudden turn. Due to the fact that his father was unable to raise his children, John and his siblings went to Nortonville, ND where he and his siblings were raised by their mother’s sister, Lenora Coon.

John started first grade at Nortonville (Kennison School District) in the fall of 1958. He attended all his elementary years at Nortonville until the high school doors closed in 1968. At that time Lenora moved the family to Edgeley where John attended Edgeley High School and graduated in 1970. Upon high school graduation, John attended NDSU where he earned a BS degree in Human Development and Family Science.

Upon graduation John worked for Doyle Checker Cab as a cab driver. Other jobs he had over the years included working for Kelly Services where he worked a variety of jobs including the Sugar Beet plant at Moorhead and Roman Meal in West Fargo.

John was a bright, avid reader and also enjoyed playing video games, working on his computer, and listening to country music. He loved to joke that his name was special.  Not only did he share the name of his favorite western movie stars, John Wayne; but he also spoke often of signing his “John Hancock” on papers and documents.

John suffered a stroke at the age of 54 and was unable to work. He suffered another stroke in late August of 2022 and was eventually moved to the Halstad Living Center. A grave-side service will be held at the Nortonville Cemetery in the spring of 2023.

John is survived by his siblings, Robert Hancock (Fargo), Grace Wendt (Fargo), and Willis Netzer (Mobridge, SD). He was preceded in death by his brothers, Edward Netzer and Norman Hancock; his sisters, Lydia (Netzer) Kangas, and Adeline (Netzer) Schweigert; his mother, Anna and his father, Robert as well as his aunts and uncles, including Lenora Coon who raised him.