Jeff Vacura Thief River Falls, MN, age 69, passed away Tuesday, May 28, 2013 at Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, ND. Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, June 1, 2013 at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, MN with Reverend Mark Helgeland and Reverend Ben Carlsen officiating. Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM with a 7:00 PM prayer service on Friday, May 31, 2013 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN. Visitation will also be held from 9:00 AM until 10:00 AM on Saturday at Redeemer Lutheran Church. Jeffrey Scott Vacura was born November 19, 1943 in Roseau, MN, to Jack and Alma (Wilcox) Vacura. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith in Roseau, MN, at Immanuel Lutheran Church. Jeff attended grade school and high school in Roseau, graduating in 1961. Jeff was united in marriage to Kathy (Kate) Marie Burkel in March 7, 1964 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Roseau. They first made their home in Thief River Falls where Jeff drove Holsum bread truck for three years. The couple moved to Greenbush for three years. There Jeff raised turkeys with his father-in-law and mother-in-law. In 1970 Jeff and his family, which now included his first daughter, Jody, moved to Minneapolis. He attended barber school, graduated, and returned to Thief River Falls where he started his barbering career, and was blessed with his second daughter, Jana. Jeff owned and operated Jeff's Barber Shop until shortly before his death. Jeff was an avid sportsman and loved hunting and fishing, but above all - anyone who knew Jeff - knew that hockey was his passion, whether it was watching, playing or coaching. He had a special bond with all the kids he coached and they held a special place in his heart. Jeff loved his family and spending time with them, whether it was holidays, family functions, or just hanging out. Jeff enjoyed all of his grandchildren's passions, and was so proud to not only attend their accomplishments, but to actively support them. He was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls. Left to mourn Jeff is his wife of 49 years, Kathy of Thief River Falls; Jody (Bryan) Nelson of Viking; Jana (Jeff) Nelson of Thief River Falls; grandchildren, Zakary, Layne, Tyce, Kade and Isabela; sisters, Ann (Glen) Haugen of Thief River Falls, and Mary (Gary) Brandt of Worthington, MN; brothers, Doug (Geri) Vacura of Cotopaxi, CO, and Mick (Pearl) Vacura of Roseau; sister-in-law, Toni Vacura of Colorado Springs, CO; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and friends. Jeff is preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Alma Vacura; father-in-law and mother-in-law, John and Isabelle Burkel; brother, Jan Vacura; nephews, Mark Burkel and John Scott Vacura, and his niece, Tina McKeever.