Obituary of John Denst

Tribute & Message From The Family John R. (Jack) Denst, 86, of FL, formerly of Chicago's South Shore. Former owner of Jack Denst Designs, Inc. WWII United States Army veteran. Loving brother-in-law of Jane Denst, devoted uncle of Leonard Olson, Thomas Olson, Thomas Denst, Phillip Denst, David (Jean) Denst, and Robert (Laurie) Denst, Arlyne Carreon, Leslie (Dr. Ronald) Hornug, and Carolyn (Mo) Gaul, cherished great uncle of Julie Olson, Elizabeth Olson, Gunnar (Liz) Olson, Edward (Ruth) Olson, Andy Denst, Corinne (Sam) McClintock , Steven Denst, Kevin Denst, Amy (David) Peters, Dan (Kelly) Carreon, Dr. Sarah Marie Carreon, Barbara Bell, Jeanine Bell, dear great-great uncle of Dylan Olson, Kiersten Olson, Connor Olson, Devon Huitsing, Kaylan Huitsing, Sarah Jen Huitsing, Nicole Peters, Sam Peters, Jacob Carreon, Sam Peters and Jennifer Marie Carreon. Interment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Alsip. Chicago native, John R. (Jack) Denst, 86, died on Monday September 7, 2009 at his home in Florida. An artist-designer, Jack was most recognized for The Jack Denst Designs, Inc., the wall covering firm he started that specialized in custom hand silk screened murals and wall coverings. An innovator in design, he introduced the first free-hanging contemporary designed murals and silk-screened designs on steel, copper, glass and acrylic. Jack was born August 17, 1923 in Chicago, IL to Josephine (Wagner) and Leonard Denst. He had 9 siblings: Leonard, Alexander (Mildred), Elizabeth (William Voss), Frank, Edwin (Margerite), Thomas (Irene), Ruth "Peggy" (Gunnar Olson), Robert (Jane) and adopted sister Angeline. His most cherished memories were of his childhood and the time spent with his brothers, sisters and their families. All deceased except Jane. Jack's was from the first graduating class of South Shore High School where he excelled at art and drawing. Matter of fact, he was chosen to design the school emblem. Upon graduating, his art teacher Edith Lipsky introduced his works to Maholy Nagy at the Chicago School of Design which led to his acceptance into the prestigious post-Bauhaus school. In 1943, after 2 years at the Chicago School of Design, he was drafted for World War II and spent his tour in Hawaii where he continued his art studies at the University of Hawaii. He served as a Radar Operator and Draftsman for the Army of the United States. It was during his 3 years of service that he developed many great friendships, and quite often recalled the days he spent with his troop. Upon returning from service, he attended the Art Institute of Chicago where he expanded his work in art by exploring multi-mediums including sculpture and working with metals. In 1947 he founded a two-man custom wall covering company Denst and Soderland with fellow artist Don Soderland. After a few years, Soderland pursued other artistic interests, and Jack formed The Jack Denst Designs where for over 40 years he was chief designer. In the years of operation, The Jack Denst Designs produced over 29 volumes of wall coverings (248 designs), and many custom projects. He showcased his work at his showroom at the Merchandise Mart for over 25 years. The company was also a family affair; Jack's sisters Betty and Peggy worked in accounting and office management, along with his nephews Tom Olson as wall covering designer and artist, and Paul Olson in production. In a field previously dominated by traditional and classic design, Denst thrived on contemporary pattern and color and created a demand for this bold new approach. He was the recipient of 22 American Institute of Interior Designers International Awards and recipient of the coveted Allman Award for valued contribution to the wall covering industry. His work has also appeared in many museums and galleries including the Russell Art Museum, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Joslyn Museum of Art, Park Forest Art Center, Smithsonian Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum, and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Both his Chicago townhouse and his Beverly Shores, Indiana home, were featured at length in different issues of "Architectural Digest". In 1980, Illinois State Governor James Thompson dedicated a week to Jack and Jack Denst Designs Inc. for his contribution to art and design in the city of Chicago and the State of Illinois. He also enjoyed working with students and teaching the use of wall coverings, patterns and murals in interior design at universities such as Purdue University and Standford University of Art and Architecture. During his career, Jack enjoyed travels to many countries working on design projects and consulting with clients from around the world. He was a great story teller and these worldly experiences added to the enrichment of the stories he told. Jack retired in 1992, and moved from his Chicago home to the Gulf Coast of Florida. He fell in love with the swimming pool of his Florida home, and joked that "he bought a swimming pool with a house attached". He spent his retirement years as a devoted member of the Church of the Incarnation Catholic Church, and served as usher for more than 10 years. He looked forward to church every week, and enjoyed many friendships with the members of the clergy and congregation. He is survived by his sister-in-law Jane (late Robert) Denst, nephews Leonard Olson, Thomas Olson, Thomas Denst, Phillip Denst, David (Jean) Denst, and Robert (Laurie)Denst, nieces Arlyne Carreon, Leslie and Dr. Ronald Hornug, and Carolyn (Mo) Gaul, great nieces and nephews Julie Olson, Elizabeth Olson, Gunnar (Liz) Olson, Edward (Ruth) Olson, Andy Denst, Corinne (Sam) McClintock ,Steven Denst, Kevin Denst, Amy (David) Peters, Dan (Kelly) Carreon, Dr. Sarah Marie Carreon, Barbara Bell, Jeanine Bell, and great-great nieces and nephews Dylan Olson, Kiersten Olson, Connor Olson, Devon Huitsing, Kaylan Huitsing, Sarah Jen Huitsing, Nicole Peters, Sam Peters, Jacob Carreon, Sam Peters and Jennifer Marie Carreon.