John Curtis Bloomquist, 77, passed away Monday (February 27, 2023) at the Lutheran Home in Kane, where he was a resident for nearly 17 years.

John was a well-known artist throughout the area and a retired elementary art teacher. He taught at the South Street Elementary School in St. Mary’s for 34 years. John graduated from Kane Area High School in 1963. He then graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (BA) and the Pennsylvania State University (MA).

For nearly 40 years, John operated Bloomquist Studio in Kane where he could be found making pottery or paintings on a daily basis. Over the years, many people would find their way to his studio to watch him work. This included school groups, Boy and Girl Scout troops, as well as, many of his friends. Often, inspiring young artists would spend time at his studio refining their craft, as would dozens of neighborhood children whose mothers would surely rather their children make a mess in John’s clay room than their living room. The more visitors the merrier for John. He loved the company and loved to entertain.

John would take his artwork to art shows throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio and New York. Over the years John won hundreds of awards and many “Best of Show” awards for his pottery, paintings, and sculptures. John was an inspiration for many local artists who he in turn admired for their artwork. While a resident in the Lutheran Home, John was a committee member for the annual Art in the Wilds art show held every year in Evergreen Park. In 2014, the Pennsylvania Senate awarded John with a Lifetime Achievement award as a master potter, art teacher, and advocate of artists.

Over the years, John was a member of community groups, such as the Kiwanis and the Kane Players. John was also a lifetime member of the Kane Elks Lodge.

In 1967, John helped prove the theory opposites attract when he married Cheryl Ann Holt, who survives. Cheri could be seen almost every day sitting by John’s side at the Lutheran Home. John was a loving husband and even a better father to his two kids, Jody (Libby) Bloomquist of Kane and Karin (Jason) Dickens of Greensboro, NC, who both survive. John was not only a great dad, but his kids had many friends who also enjoyed spending time with John throughout the years. At most events, even in his years at the Luther Home, John was known to be the life of the party.

John was preceded in death by his parents Seth and Catherine “Babe” Bloomquist who owned Bloomquist Grocery in Kane, where John learned his work ethic. John is survived by his brother Seth (Mary) Bloomquist of Kane, and sister Cathy Lebed of San Luis Obispo, CA. Also surviving are grandchildren Karson and Kylie Dickens, as well as, nine nieces and nephews.

Friends are invited to attend a memorial service which will take place at Cummings Funeral Home on Saturday (March 4) at 1:00 p.m. with the Rev. David Pflieger officiating.

Memorial donations may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, P.O. Box 22324, New York, NY 10087.