Jerry was born in Amherst, MN on December 8, 1938. He married Evelyn Malli on August 25, 1956. Jerry, age 76, of Canton, MN passed away on November 2, 2015 surrounded by his family at his side.
He farmed in Amherst until his retirement, when he moved to Canton. Over the last 25 years he spent winter months with his family in Florida. He took pride in the farm that he passed down to his son, Michael, as he made frequent trips and calls out to the farm to “make sure things were operating correctly.” He enjoyed the little things in life, but his grandchildren took precedence over all. “If I had known grandchildren would be so much fun, I would have had them first.” You would often see him on the sidelines of sporting events, - first the children, then grandchildren, and the great grandchildren. Jerry could hold a conversation with anyone and made friends wherever he went. He enjoyed farming, family, travelling, fishing, spending time in the Florida sunshine and passing the time at the casino.
Jerry is survived by his wife of 59 years, Evelyn; Children: Cindy (Mike) Shanks, Cathy (Steve) Hogue, Barbara (Karl) Hagen, Michael (Lisa) Johnson, Lisa Johnson, Jeffrey (Angie) Johnson. Grandchildren: Jason (Amy) Shanks, Amy (Chad) Wangen, Bryan (Laura) Hogue, Matt Hogue, Jennifer (Jim) Burkholder, Kyle and Tanner Hagen, Parker, Dakota, Hunter and Gavin Johnson, Landon and Logan Johnson, Great Grandchildren : Tori, Dawson, and Skyler Wangen. The families reside in Minnesota, Florida and Texas. Special in-laws, nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his precious granddaughter, Taylor Johnson.
Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, November 6th 2015 at the Assumption Catholic Church in Canton. Visitation will 4 – 7 PM Thursdayat Assumption Catholic Church in Canton.
Memorials are preferred, in lieu of flowers, to the Assumption Catholic Altar Society |
