Jack Michael Lieffort, Sr.

Jack Michael Lieffort, Sr., age 76, of Savanna, Illinois, passed away on March 27, 2026, at UnityPoint Health–Meriter Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin. A family memorial gathering will be planned for the near future.

Jack was born on May 14, 1949, in Milbank, South Dakota, the son of James and Florence (Toner) Lieffort. He grew up in Milbank and graduated with the Milbank High School Class of 1967. In 1969, Jack was drafted into the United States Marine Corps, where he served proudly as an equipment engineer. He was honorably discharged in 1971.

After returning home, Jack began working for the Milwaukee Railroad. He was a dedicated and reliable worker, retiring after a more than 40-year career.

Jack married Janet Leslie, and together they welcomed two children. On April 20, 1985, he married Shirley Tipp at the United Methodist Church of Savanna. Their marriage lasted until his final days.

A proud member of the American Legion, Jack carried deep respect for his fellow veterans and for the country he served.

Jack loved the outdoors, and he especially loved golf. Storybrook Country Club and Palisades Golf Course were his home courses, where he had many good friends. He took two or three golf trips each year with his brothers, always a competition between the oldest two and the youngest two. The oldest pair usually won, and Jack took great delight in reminding everyone of that fact. Jack loved spending time in the backyard throwing the ball for hours, for his dogs Sheena and Sooner.

Family was the center of Jack’s world. He adored his children and grandchildren, even if he showed it in his own wonderfully ornery way. He was often lovingly called “Old Bear”. He would cuddle the little ones until they were too fussy, then decide that was quite enough affection for the moment. Beneath the gruff exterior, though, he loved them with all his heart.

Jack found peace in the outdoors, in the rhythm of a good golf swing, and in the comfort of home. He will be dearly missed by his wife, Shirley; son, Jack (Chris) Lieffort, Jr., of Grand Meadow, MN; daughter, Jodi (Jim) Wilder, of Austin, MN; step-children, Jacqueline (Jeff) French, of Lanark, IL, John (Fiancee Renee Borgmann) Tipp, Freeport, IL, and Albert Tipp, Jr., of Rockford, IL; ten grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; siblings, Twin Sister Jeanne Wobbema, of Valley City, ND, Donald Albert Lieffort, of Minneapolis MN, Julie Lieffort of Sartell, MN, Peter Lieffort, of Gregory SD, Teresa (Andre) Avant, of Banning CA, Thomas (Jolene) Lieffort, of Watertown SD, Liz (Steve) Hilbrands, of Milbank SD, Robert (Kris) Lieffort, of Brookings SD, Sarah (Mick) Pickens, of Prior Lake, MN, and Andrew (Fiancee Karen) Lieffort, of Plymouth MN. Jack is preceded in death by his parents, James and Florence; great-grandson, Jett Pater; brother, Jimmy Lieffort; brother-in-law, Larry Wobbema; and sister-in-law, Beth Lieffort.