Hassler, Jon

Jon Hassler was born in Minneapolis on March 30, 1933 and grew up in Staples and Plainview, Minnesota. After graduation from high school in Plainview, Hassler attended St. John's University in Collegeville, Minnesota. He graduated in 1955 with a bachelor of arts in English. While teaching high school English in Minnesota, Hassler earned a master of arts degree from the University of North Dakota in 1960. In 1965, Hassler began his college teaching career at Bemidji State University and would later teach at Brainerd Community College in Minnesota, and finally at St. John's University.

In 1980, Hassler was appointed writer-in-residence at St. John's University, serving in that role until his retirement in 1997. He died in St. Louis Park, MN, on March 20, 2008. He was survived by his wife Gretchen and his three children from his first marriage.

Hassler published his first book, Staggerford, in 1977. He continued writing for almost the next 30 years - his final book was The New Woman, which was published in 2005. Other publications include:

Four Miles to Pinecone (1977)

Simon's Night (1979)

Jemmy (1980)

The Love Hunter (1981)

A Green Journey (1985)

Grand Opening (1987)

North of Hope (1990)

Dear James (1993)

The Dean's List (1998)

My Staggerford Journal (1999)

Keepsakes and Other Stories (2000)

Rufus at the Door and Other Stories (2000)

Good People... from an Author's Life (2001)

The Staggerford Flood (2002)

The Staggerford Murders (2004)

Stories Teachers Tell (2004)

The New Woman (2005)

Hassler passed away on March 20, 2008 and buried at Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis. He was survived by his third wife, Gretchen, as well as children Michael, Elizabeth, and David.