John Furlong
John Furlong age 96 of Menomonie, died Sunday April 24, 2011 at the American Lutheran Home in Menomonie.
Dr John Furlong was born in Taconite, MN, on Minnesota’s Mesabi Iron Range on Nov. 29, 1914 to Mike & Mary (Javor) Chutich. When he was 3 yrs old his father was killed in a mining accident leaving his mother with 3 children. His mother married Steve Furlong, who adopted her children. When John was in 5th grade, the family moved to an acreage south of Marble, MN, where they raised their family of 12. The children attended the Birchwood Country School which ended at 8th grade. To continue his schooling John walked 22 miles to the county seat in Grand Rapids, MN, to see the superintendent of schools. He earned his room & board by living with the Butler family & worked his way through high school doing janitor work. He took part in school sports & graduated in 1932. He got a scholarship to attend Grand Rapids Agricultural School. He belonged to the Rural Youth Club, 4H & FFA. He cut pulpwood to earn money to help out his family during the depression & spent time in CCC camps.
He married Frances Schwartz May 19, 1939 at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Keewatin, MN. They made their home south of Marble, MN, where they raised 4 children. He was a first class machinist at the Interstate Mining Company for several years. In 1946 he set up the shop equipment at Greenway High School in Coleraine, MN, where he taught Smith Hughes machine shop courses including forging, welding, etc. from special education courses through high school, junior college, adult education, university & adviser to undergraduate students at the University of MN where he was on staff.
In 1946, Dr Furlong was instrumental in organizing the teacher’s union at Greenway High School & Itasca Jr. College in Coleraine-it was not a popular idea at the time.
He was a delegate to the 1948 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia when Harry Truman was nominated for President. As chairman of the Itasca County DFL party, he led a march for Hubert Humphrey after his famous speech, the minority report on civil rights.
He served on the Dairyland REA Board of Directors from 1946-48 & served as construction foreman for the REA. He served on the grocery store co-op board. He owned a sawmill & cut lumber for his first home. He worked in industry for 10 years including management & supervisory positions including quality control supervisor.
From 1953-1957, the family lived in student housing at the University of MN where John earned his bachelors, masters & PhD degrees in 4 years. From 1957-1963, he was superintendent of schools in the Greenway School District with 7 elementary schools, junior & senior high, junior college & adult education program.
In 1963 he moved to Menomonie, WI, where he served as Assistant to the president & chancellor at Stout University, retiring in 1985. In 1967, he spent 3 months in South Vietnam as one of a six man team to develop educational policies there. In 1971, he served a two month assignment as Chief of Party & a special consultant to the State Dept, Washington, DC, Vietnam Bureau to evaluate educational programs related to future economic & industrial development of the country, including the agricultural aspect. Several Vietnamese students were attending Stout at that time.
John was the first financial director of the newly created Stout Foundation when land was purchased for what is now Stout Technology Park. He was instrumental in getting an Art Major established at Stout & the Furlong Art Gallery was named in his honor.
He was a member of the Dunn County Board of Supervisors for 7 terms & was director of the development committee when 3M located in Menomonie. He served on the city council for 2 terms when the Menomonie Public Library was built. He served on the 1st Bank & Trust Advisory Board, served as president of the University of MN West Central Wisconsin Division Alumni, president of the chamber of commerce, member of the Menomonie Lions Club, Menomonie Knights of Columbus & past Governor of the Menomonie Moose Lodge. In 1985-86 he had the distinct honor serving as Supreme Governor of the International Loyal Order of the Moose (the highest office worldwide).
He was a member of St Joseph Catholic Church of Menomonie. He was a member of the Menomonie Area Community Foundation, charter member of the Menomonie Community Health Foundation, Menomonie Historical Society, Menomonie Public Library Foundation, Pipestone, MN, historical society, University of WI Stout Foundation, Leisure Services Center Board of directors, Grand Rapids, MN Area Community Foundation, Hoffman Hills Foundation & Mable Tainter Theatre Renovation Fund.
Dr Furlong was honored as the 2004 distinguished citizen of the year by the Greater Menomonie Area Chamber of Commerce for his many years of dedication & contributions to the community & Dunn County. In 2005, the Rotary Club of Menomonie awarded him with the Paul Harris Fellowship & donated $1000 in his name to the Rotary International Foundation which assists in projects worldwide.
He is survived by daughters Kathy (Floyd) Turnquist of San Francisco, Marijean (Emery) Davis of Grand Rapids, MN; & son-in-law, Dave Christensen of Pipestone, MN, grandchildren Deb (Lonnie) Jensen, Denise Cleveland, Eric Christensen, Cathy (Randy) Scheid, Mary (Dan) Texidor, & Karen Christensen, great grand children, Joshua & Staci Cleveland & Stephanie & David Jensen & Veronica Scheid & great-great grandson Skyler Jensen, 3 sisters, Margie Berschauer of Olympia WA, Mary Lou Cox, Grand Rapids, MN & Shirley Troye of Maple Grove, MN & many nieces & nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 71 years, Frances "Fritzie" Furlong, his twin son & daughter, John Jr. in 1995 & Joan in 2008, his parents Steve & Mary Furlong, three brothers & six sisters, one in infancy.