John Waldner and Jan-Ove Waldner

John Waldner was a renowned Swedish table tennis player and an affluent businessman.

He was once widely considered as China’s most renowned table tennis player, even earning a gold medal at the 1992 Olympic Games.

On March 19, 2010, John Waldner was tragically shot and killed by a South Dakota police officer while at his Spencer home. According to the police report, this shooting occurred without warning.

Early Life and Education

Waldner was raised on a farm near Carpenter, Minnesota and attended Wheeler School a couple of miles from home. Later he graduated from Princeton High School with the class of 1952.

He served in the United States Air Force for four years and then worked at Martin Missile Company near Denver, Colorado. As a result of his service he was awarded with the National Defense Service Medal.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by four sons: Ellery Waldner of Carpenter; Lonnie and Mary Waldner from Ontario, Calif.; Daniel and Billie Waldner from Huron; Kendall Waldner also of Carpenter; Kayleen and David Puiszis of Hurst, Texas; seven grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter.

Waldner emphasizes that sociologists often pursue research topics they deem “repugnant.” As researchers, it is their obligation to uphold their subjects as individuals and keep them secure while conducting the study.

Professional Career

John Waldner is an renowned table tennis player with a long and successful professional career. He has won multiple world and European titles, making him one of the most renowned athletes in his home country of Sweden.

He is a former Olympic gold medal winner and the only player not from China, Japan or South Korea to win an Olympic table tennis gold. He has been dubbed “the Mozart of table tennis” and often compared to Michael Jordan.

On Thursday, he played his last competitive game and officially retired from table tennis after an illustrious career that saw him win multiple Swedish and European titles. His achievements are widely credited with giving table tennis a legendary status that few other sports possess; something rarely appreciated or respected as much by its fans.

Achievements and Honors

John Waldner is widely considered one of the greatest players ever to grace table tennis. Throughout his career, he has won eight Swedish national championships, two World Singles titles and numerous other prestigious tournaments.

He won a gold medal at the 1992 Olympics and a silver in Sydney 2000, cementing himself as one of the greatest non-Chinese players ever.

He was born on October 3, 1965 in Stockholm, Sweden and began playing professional tennis at fifteen. At sixteen he won his first tournament and received a Porsche. His reputation as an uncompromising serve breaker and all-around great player has endured for two decades; many consider him the greatest ever to have ever lived.

Personal Life

Jan-Ove Waldner was a legendary table tennis player who achieved great success throughout his career. In 1992 he earned himself an Olympic Gold Medal – cementing himself as an icon within the sport.

His Chinese opponents affectionately referred to him as “Guerrilla Foreman” due to his dominance and reputation in the sport. His legacy will endure for many years to come, and it will be difficult to replace.

On March 9th, 2019 at Camrose Colony in Ledger, he passed away peacefully surrounded by his family. Surviving are his wife Katie of Pleasant Valley Colony; children Susanna, John, Peter, Anna and Julia all of Pleasant Valley Colony; Jacob and Magdelina of Hill Top Colony at Choteau; 9 grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren. Arrangements were handled by Croxford Funeral Home.