Jerold F. "Jerry" Jones, 74, of Wabasha, died Thursday, Aug. 18, 2011, at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center in Wabasha.
He was born Nov. 19, 1936, in Wabasha, the son of Jerold and Loretta (Riester) Jones. He graduated from Wabasha High School in 1954. He then served in the U.S. Air Force, serving from 1954-1958. After his discharge he attended Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis. He married Darlene Schumacher Sept. 19, 1959, at Lincoln Trinity Lutheran Church in rural Lake City. He worked for Western Union Telegraph in Rochester for 30 years as an electronic technician, retiring in 1991. He then worked in maintenance for Trachsel Dental Lab in Rochester. The couple moved to Wabasha from Rochester in 2002. In Wabasha, he worked as a bailiff for the Wabasha County Court System.
Jerry was an active member of Faith Lutheran Church, having served as its first adult acolyte. He was also active in the church’s men’s group and its bible study group. He was a member of the Wabasha American Legion Post No. 50, serving two terms as its commander and coordinating the Boys State Program. He volunteered as a Guardian Angel at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center and he was a past member of the City of Wabasha Street Commission. For many years Jerry coached in the youth football program in Rochester and he officiated at area high school football games. He was a longtime member of the Rochester Area Officials Association.
His interests included hunting, fishing, motorcycling and golf. He was an avid Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings fan. Jerry was a very caring and loving husband, father and grandfather. He will be greatly missed by his loving family and his many friends.
He is survived by his wife, Darlene Jones, Wabasha; children and spouses, Jackie and Curt Cogan, Pequot Lakes, Jerry Jones and special friend, Carrie, Eau Claire, Wis., Keith and Mel Jones, Erie, Colo., Tom and Amy Jones, Winona, and Robin and Mike O’Neill, South St. Paul; 13 grandchildren, Alyssa, Calida, Chris and Zach Cogan, Judd and Jacob Jones, Kilee Jones, Andrew, Hailey, Bianna, Addam and Mitchell Jones and Chloe O’Neill; brother and sister-in-law, Bill and Marianne Jones, Yorkville, Ill.; sisters and brother-in-law, Donna Benjamin, Blaine, Marietta Flanagan (his special shopping friend), Wabasha, Jane and Tom Lewandowski, Scottsdale, Ariz.; nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers-in-law, Pete Benjamin and Pat Flanagan.
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A memorial service will be held on Monday, Aug. 22, 2011, at 11 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church in Wabasha, with the Reverend David Knox officiating. Interment will be at St. Felix Cemetery in Wabasha.
Honorary bearers will be his 13 grandchildren. Military rites will be performed by the Wabasha American Legion and VFW Posts.
Family and friends may call at the Abbott Funeral Home in Wabasha on Sunday from 4 to 8 p.m., and at the church on Monday one hour before the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Faith Lutheran Church or to Wabasha American Legion Post No. 50.
The Abbott Funeral Home of Wabasha is in charge of arrangements. www.abbottfh.com
