John William Adix

The Reverend John William Adix, age 90 of Maple Grove, MN, was called home on August 14, 2026, with Mary, his wife of nearly 68 years, by his side. 

Born to the Reverend Herold and Bertha Adix on April 19, 1936, John became a 1954 graduate of West Waterloo (Iowa) High. He attended Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, where he thrived as a basketball starter all 4 years, and was inducted into Wartburg's Athletic Hall of Fame in 2001. He also served as Student Body President of Wartburg College. 

On August 30, 1958, John married the love of his life, Mary Holo, who then moved with him to Philadelphia, PA, where he began seminary and played basketball. After a year, he and Mary returned to Iowa where he graduated with a Master of Divinity from Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa, and played basketball. When he was ordained in 1961, he became a fourth generation Lutheran minister. He went on to serve his first parish in Daykin, Nebraska, where it is believed he played some basketball, then moved west to serve the Lutheran Church of the Cross in Evergreen, CO, for 11 years, and had great success playing basketball. He and Mary and their four sons then moved to Tacoma, WA, where he served at Christ Lutheran Church for 2 years and continued finding ways to play basketball. After spending a year abroad in Norway, where this time he taught basketball, he and his family returned to Tacoma where he then worked in Church Relations for Pacific Lutheran University, then became Assistant to the President (Dr. Bill Rieke) at PLU and played basketball during noon hours. He eventually retired from basketball and returned to ministry overseas at a parish in Auckland, New Zealand, then returned to the Pacific Northwest and served as an interim pastor at parishes in Pendleton, OR; Beaverton, OR; Gresham, OR; Enumclaw, WA; Gig Harbor, WA; Federal Way, WA, and an interim at the same church where his father Herold Adix had served: Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in SeaTac, WA. 

He then retired from the ministry and enjoyed many of his retirement years in the Pacific Northwest. John and Mary eventually re-located to Maple Grove, MN, to be near family.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 68 years, Mary (Holo) Adix; his four sons: David Adix of Tucson, AZ; Tom (Becky) Adix of Denver, CO; Chris Adix (& fiancee Michelle Fuller) of Apache Junction, AZ; and John (Anne) Adix of Maple Grove, MN; Seven grandchildren: Alexa, Sam, Dawson, Kali, Ben, Elise, and Maren; and four great grandchildren: Landon, Dylan, Mila, and Noah, along with many nieces & nephews, cousins, friends, and extended family. John touched many souls during his time on earth, and brought many to the faith. He served all with kindness, sweetness, generosity, plus wisdom, and always with quick wit and good humor. He will be dearly missed by so very many of us. John is likely playing basketball again.

A private service and interment will be set at a later date. In lieu of a memorial, please leave or send a fun memory or short story about John, but if you do prefer a memorial, please consider either Wartburg College or Lutheran World Relief.