Ivan Joseph Krizan passed away on August 29, 2023, in Hudson, WI.
Ivan was born on July 23, 1933 to Anton and Anna Krizan in Gordon, NE and spent most of his youth on the family farm near Fredericksburg, Iowa. Ivan served in the Army during the Korean war and was stationed at Nuremburg, Germany. He was very proud of his years as an MP in the military.
Upon returning to the U.S., he attended the University of Iowa where he earned a degree in accounting and then worked for Pillsbury Co. in Minneapolis MN for a few years. He earned his education degree in 1965 at the University of Minnesota where he met his future wife Mary. Ivan and Mary were married on June 25, 1966 and moved to Hastings, MN. Ivan went on to earn his Masters degree in Education from the University of St. Cloud in 1974. Ivan taught business
classes at Hastings High School until his retirement in 1995.
Ivan enjoyed both squaredancing and polka dancing, playing cards with family and friends, loved spending time with his grandchildren, and traveling to Europe, especially to visit relatives in Croatia. Ivan was known for his sense of humor and as a welcoming, kind and compassionate person. Many of his students said he was one of their favorite teachers. He once said his goal was to make at least one person smile each day.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Anton and Anna; and siblings, Anton, Edward, and Angela.
Ivan is survived by his wife, Mary; sons, Greg (Jenny) Krizan, Curtis (Laura) Krizan and Anthony Krizan; grandchildren, Rebecca, Natasha, Elsa, Emma, Martin, Alex Ivan, Calvin, Sadie, Gabriel, Anton and Isla; great-grandchildren, Griffin and Willow; brother, Bernard (Sharon) Krizan; and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023 at 3:00 P.M. at Starkson Funeral Home, 3075 Vermillion Street in Hastings, MN. A visitation will start one hour prior at 2:00 P.M. with a dinner and memory-sharing time immediately following the service. Interment will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery at 10:45 A.M. on October 12, 2023.
Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel is assisting the family.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to TLC of Hastings, 1125 South Frontage Road, Suite 2, Hastings, MN 55033 or Hastings Family Service, 301 Second Street East, Hastings, MN 55033.
