John Louis Pallow

John Pallow was born in the St. Cloud Hospital to Magdalen Landwehr and Frank Pallow on April 26, 1933, and passed away on August 4, 2024.

In January 1942 the family moved to a farm by Rockville, MN and in 1945 the family moved to a farm just south of St. Joseph, MN.

John's education started at St. Mary's Catholic School in Rockville, and he completed grade school in St. Joseph. Ninth grade was at Junior High in St. Cloud. John was attending St. Cloud Technical High School when he stopped to enter the Air Force, finishing his education with a GED, and graduated from Victorvalley High School, in Victorville, CA in 1955.

John's military career started March 23, 1951, with basic training at Lackland AFB Texas and Auto Mechanical School in Wyoming. Then it was off to Germany in January 1952, being stationed at many different bases. While in Germany he met and married Georgine Eberwin. They raised two loving daughters, Patricia and Angelica. The marriage later ended. Upon returning from Germany, he was stationed at George AFB, Victorville, CA., from (1955-1959), Eilson AFB, Fairbanks, AK, (1959-1962). Then he spent two years as a drill instructor at Lackland AFB, Texas, (1962-1964). John exchanged Lackland for Randolph AFB, TX, (1964-1966), when tapped for duty in Vietnam, (1966-1967). From Vietnam he went back to Germany (1967-1970) to be stationed at Kirkland AFB, NM (1970-1972)., Then it was off once again to remote AF Station, Sparavone, AK (1972-1973). Back home again to Kirkland AFB, NM to finish his career, retiring March 31, 1974.

It was a rather varied life from then on. His work ranged from gun sales at Cooks Sporting Goods Store to auto mechanic at Montgomery Wards and Sears. In 1978 he bought his first Hot Air Balloon and began the sport he loved more than any other and became a commercial balloon pilot. In 1980 he purchased a new balloon and started a hot air balloon business providing rides, commercial advertising and training new balloon pilots.

While doing the thing he loved the most, he met the love of his life, Linda Maxwell, whom he married in 1986. They managed an apartment complex for 2 years in AZ, after which he worked driving bus/truck on Fort Huachuca for three years. In 1990, because of health reasons, they moved to Osakis, MN. Afte a short time they joined Elim Lutheran Church, where John helped with the upkeep and was greeter for many years and also served as Sexton or Assistant Sexton.

He was a member of the Gordon Men's Chorus since 19990, enjoying singing bass. An active member of the Osakis VFW Post 7902, serving on the Honor Guard, serving as Post Chaplain and frying potatoes for Fish Fries. He was very proud and honored to serve and work on the Osakis Veterans Memorial Committee. He is survived by his wife Linda, daughters Pat (Al) Kilgore, and Angie (John) Howe, many nieces, nephews and grand and great-grandchildren.

In early 2023 he got ALS and went into Care Center at the VA in March 2024. He missed a lot of things this year because of the ALS. He was going to go on the HONOR FLIGHT this year and couldn't, and yet, he adjusted and did not complain and was not angry. Our faith in Jesus has helped us get through this. We will trust the Lord for where he takes us. He knows the number of our days and he is in the midst of the journey we are on with ALS.