JACOB ‘JACK’ SCHUITEMAN

Jacob “Jack” Schuiteman passed away peacefully at his home in Ranier, Mn. on Saturday, March 3, 2012 after a courageous battle with lung cancer.
Jack is survived by his ever-loving wife of 47 years, Jackie, and his three children and nine grandchildren.
These include his eldest and only son, Dean, and his wife, Carma Cornea, and their children, Jacob and Sarah; daughter, Geri-Lee and Gary Godkin, and their daughters, Kara, Kelly, and Kristi; and daughter, Tracy and Neeraj Sharma, and their daughters, Breann, Kirsten, Alyssa, and Cailyn.
Jack also will be sadly missed by a warm and loving extended family, including Jackie’s siblings, Derald and Bev McCool, Grieta Miller, and Ken Sello; and Jack’s sister, Rita Kember,, and his brother-in-law, Bill Fuller.
Jack was predeceased by his parents, Jacob and Gerritje; and sister, Joanne Fuller.
On April 19, 1944 in Renkum, Holland, near Arnhem, Jack’s life began—a life full of passion that left an indelible mark on everyone he knew.
At the age of 13, Jack followed his two sisters to Canada, bouncing from place to place until his parents ultimately joined him a year later to settle in Devlin, Ont.
Jack spent his entire life in the pulping industry, starting as a sewer rat at Boise Cascade and working his way up to Operations Manager at James River Marathon Ltd.
Throughout this time, Jack enjoyed numerous passions, and often had a second and sometimes third job that he managed to do. His love for animals and his ability to breed rare pheasants led to the establishment of a well-known family zoo in Devlin.
Scouring the countryside for antique china for the big “find,” and his recent participation in the local International Falls Car Club, brought Jack much happiness.
A few of his secondary jobs included taxidermy, guiding fly fisherman on the local waters, finding wounded animals for the ministry, and building and operating the car wash in Fort Frances.
His entrepreneurial spirit collided with his wealth of knowledge garnered in the pulping industry in 1989 when he left James River Marathon Ltd. to start his own business, Performance Process Inc., with two partners near Chicago. His incredible work ethic helped grow this company from infancy to the multi-million dollar company it is today.
Despite having a full-time job and at least one business on the side, Jack always found time to support his children by attending and cheering on their numerous extra-curricular activities. He was the ever-supportive family man.
As his children became parents, Jack’s attention turned to his grandchildren. He loved spending time with them, whether it was to take them fishing in the summer, tobogganing in the winter, or watching the many talent shows put on in the basement of his house.
None of Jack’s numerous accomplishments would have been possible without the love and support of his high-school sweetheart, Jackie. His adventures took them to many communities in Canada; however, they always were drawn back to the tranquility of the Rainy River.
Jack’s final days were spent enjoying the sunsets that he loved so much, surrounded by his family in the dream home that he and Jackie built on the water in Ranier.
Visitation will be held Thursday, March 8, 2012 from 5-7 p.m. at the Larsen-Green Funeral Home in International Falls, Mn.
Funeral services will be held there Friday, March 9, 2012 at 2 pm.
In memoriam donations may be made to the Hospice, Salvation Army, or St. Jude’s Hospital.