John Meisch

John Mervin Meisch Jr., 80, of Waconia, Minnesota, formerly of Wabasha, passed away on December 26, 2025, surrounded by his family.
John was born on June 5, 1945, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to Mary (Tierno) and John Meisch Sr. He graduated from O’Gorman High School and went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from South Dakota State University, followed by master’s degrees from Winona State University in Education and St. Mary’s University in Healthcare Administration.
He married his loving wife, Fairy (Mueller), in 1969, and together they raised two children, Allyson and Christopher.
John was, first and foremost, a family man. His greatest joy came from spending time with those he loved most — his devoted wife, children, and grandchildren.
He worked as a teacher for many years, teaching speech, theater, and English. John had a remarkable gift for connecting with young people, reflected in his years as a teacher, coach, and theater director. A talented director, he loved sharing his passion for the stage with his students and community. John also worked as a clinic administrator and radio station manager before returning to his true calling — teaching — where he specialized in gifted and talented programs. He retired in 2006. He was a dedicated member of the Rotary Club, RJAC, and the Waconia Planning Commission.
For more than 20 years, John proudly served as Mayor of Wabasha, leading with compassion and a genuine desire to serve his community. He took great pride in representing Wabasha and had the honor of hosting President Jimmy Carter and other distinguished visitors during his tenure. He also played a role in bringing the National Eagle Center to town
In 2013, John and Fairy moved to Waconia to be closer to their grandchildren, where they loved attending games, concerts, recitals, and other events. Though they resided in Waconia, John always considered Wabasha his home. John was an avid MN sports fan and fisherman. He loved spending time cheering on the Twins and Vikings with family and fishing with his son, son-in-law, and grandkids.
John was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Fairy; children, Allyson (Brent) Muilenburg and Christopher (Chelsea) Meisch; and grandchildren, Hannah, Luke, Noah, Sophia, and Nolan.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, January 16, 2026, at Faith Lutheran Church in Wabasha, with visitation beginning at 1:00 p.m. and the service at 2:00 p.m., officiated by Pastor David Knox.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Wabasha-Kellogg Theater Department, in care of Cris Medina, 2113 Hiawatha Drive East, Wabasha, MN 55981.
Services are entrusted to Abbott Funeral Home & Crematory, Wabasha. www.abbottfh.com