Jacob "Jack" Mayala, age 77, of Kimball, formerly of St. Cloud, died Sunday, June 12, 2016 at Hilltop Health Care Center in Watkins.

Memorial Services will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 25, 2016 at Ostmark Lutheran Church in rural Watkins with Rev. Joe Midthun officiating.  Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. on Friday, June 24, at Dingmann Funeral Care Chapel, Kimball and one hour prior to the service, Saturday, June 25, at the church.  A prayer service will be held 7:30 p.m. Friday at the funeral chapel.  Burial will take place 2:00 p.m. Sunday, June 26 at Bethany Cemetery in Arland, WI followed by a Remembrance Service at 2:30 p.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church.

Jacob Arthur Mayala, Jr. was born August 20, 1938 in Barron, WI to Jacob "Art" Mayala, Sr. and Myrtle (Hanson) Mayala.  He grew up in Polk County, WI and graduated from Clear Lake High School in Clear Lake, WI.  Jack attended Suomi College in Hancock, MI, earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1961 from Augsburg College in Minneapolis, MN, his Master of Arts degree in Teaching in 1972 from Oakland University in Rochester, MI, and his Doctorate of Philosophy in 1978 from the University of Illinois in Champagne, IL.

Jack worked as the director for the West CAP preschool program in Menominee, WI and was the director of a preschool program in Michigan.  He became an Associate Professor at Oakland University in Rochester, MI until moving to St. Cloud, MN in 1978 where he worked as a Professor for St. Cloud State University, retiring in 2000.  Jack was united in marriage to Lucy Ann Lang on August 31, 1985 in St. Cloud.

Jack was a member of Ostmark Lutheran Church in Watkins, Slant Six Club of America and the National Association for the Education of Young Children.  Jack was active with Kimball Playhouse and was integral in the Head Start and Preschool programs in St. Cloud and on the Red Lake Indian Reservation.  He enjoyed racing, hunting, fishing, camping, watching his grandchildren's sports, spending time with family, going on car cruises and showing cars at car shows.

Jack is survived by his wife Lucy Lang of Kimball; children Lisa (Shane) Specht of Sartell, Anita (John) McIntyre of Newbury Park, CA and Matt (Jess) Mayala of Fargo, ND; grandchildren Jason Mayala, Chloe McIntyre, Crystal, Tyler, Jenna and Joselyn Specht; sister Lois Vick of Stillwater; brother-in-law Larry (Mary Jo) Lien of Clear Lake, WI; foster-sister Patricia Seever; former wife Cheryl Mayala; and his cars 1971 Dodge Demon, 1973 Dodge Dart and 1973 Plymouth Duster.  He is preceded in death by his parents Art and Myrtle Mayala; sister Cheryl Lien; brother-in-law Ed Vick; and nephews Mike and Tom Vick and Loni Lien.

The urnbearers will be his six grandchildren.  Arrangements are entrusted with Dingmann Funeral Care Burial & Cremation Services of Kimball.