Jack Cecil Archer

Jack Cecil Archer, age 78, of Detroit Lakes, MN, went to be with his Lord and Savior on August 27th, 2023, at the Ecumen-Emmanuel Nursing Home in Detroit Lakes. 

A visitation for Jack will be from 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm on Thursday, September 7, 2023, at the David-Donehower Funeral Home in Detroit Lakes, with a prayer service at 7:00 pm.  A memorial service will be at 11:00 am on Friday, September 8, 2023, at the David-Donehower Funeral Home, with a time of gathering an hour prior. 

Jack was born in Watertown, SD on December 17, 1944, to Harry Thompson Archer and Ruby (Cleveland) Archer.  He grew up on the family farm outside of South Shore, SD., graduating from South Shore High School in 1962. It was during his high school years that Jack met his high school sweetheart, Julaine, eventually marrying in 1966.

Jack received his bachelor’s degree from Northern State University in Aberdeen in 1966 and continued his education at the University of South Dakota, graduating in 1970 with his Master of Art in English.

Education and teaching have always been central in Jack’s life, having come from a family of teachers.

Jack loved teaching high school students and stayed in touch with some of his first students in Detroit Lakes, which meant the world to him.  He started his career in Madison, MN, from 1966-1968, left to obtain his master’s degree, and then taught in Gibbon, MN, from 1970-1974.  When a teaching position opened in Detroit Lakes, Jack jumped at the chance to take a job in the town that he and Julaine loved and took their honeymoon.  He started teaching high school English in 1974 at DLHS, until his retirement in 2002.

After retirement, Jack missed teaching and returned as an adjunct teacher at MN State and Concordia College for some years.  Jack’s passion for teaching and discussion was always ignited, as he enjoyed talking to people of all ages about literature and music into the last days of his life.

Jack will always be known for his optimism and sense of humor, particularly his love of Monty Python, British comedy, and Mark Twain. He enjoyed the time he spent fishing in the Maplewood Bass Club and the fishing trips he took with his teaching friends. He loved music and was active in church and community choirs. Jack was a long-time member of Zion Lutheran Church, Detroit Lakes.  Jack had a great love for classic cars and most enjoyed his time spent with family and friends at his cabin on Little Cormorant.

Jack will be greatly missed by his wife of 57 years, Julaine; children, Jennifer (Jeff) Martinson, and Jason (Wendi) Archer; sister, JoAnn Dane; brother, Martin (Marlene); sister-in-law, Caroline Pieschke; grandchildren, Elise, Owen, Emma, Lexi, and Noah; as well as several nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents; Harry and Ruby; a sister, Ruth Scriver; brothers-in-law, Earl Pieschke, Walt Dane, and Lonnie Scriver.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Detroit Lakes Dollars for Scholars in honor of Jack.  Lastly, pick up a book and read it to the end, in honor of him, he would love that more than anything.

The family would like to thank Ecumen of Detroit Lakes for their kind and compassionate care during Jack’s time there.