OBITUARY
Gerald Thomas (Jerry) Wilkinson, 59, died on Feb. 13, 2016.
Jerry was born April 9, 1956, in Mason City, Iowa, to Robert and Elaine. He attended Pacelli High School in Austin, MN, graduating in 1974. He then attended Riverland Technical College in Austin and received a certification in carpentry in 1976. In the same year he married Mary Wilde and together they had two children. After graduation, he worked in construction for his uncle's company, Rinehart Construction, in the Twin Cities. He then worked in Austin for D&W Construction and Bor-Son Construction with whom he served as leadman carpenter on the new Hormel plant. He began his long career with the City of Austin Street Department in 1983 and was promoted to engineering technician in 2005. Throughout his working career he took many side jobs shingling roofs. However, many of these jobs were given out freely to his many friends. Jerry married Jeanne Howatt on Dec. 31, 2013.
Jerry made a difference with his passion, support and work with Relay for Life's fight against cancer, a disease that directly affected his family. While serving as team captain, Team Believe won many awards, and in 2013 he was honored with the Barb Langan Volunteer Award. Jerry was captain of the first Relay for Life team in Mower County to raise over $10,000.
He was a devout Catholic his whole life and gave of his time and talents to St. Augustine Church. He developed an even more intimate relationship with God in his latter years. He would like for you to follow in his steps.
Jerry was an avid Lakers, Vikings and Twins fan. Playing hoops with the guys were some of his happiest memories. He loved fishing, biking, motorcycling and trying to beat his "Mommy" at cribbage.
He had a spirit of excellence evidenced by his neatness, organization, and pride in his work. He always said that if you're going to do a job, it should be done the right way.
Our gentle giant had the biggest feet, the biggest hands, but most importantly, the biggest heart. A hug from him was the strongest hug you may ever have had. He gave of himself through many acts of service to others. He was a positive and thankful man. A trip to Hy-Vee was never short as he was literally "the smile in every aisle."
He was known as "Goofball" to his loved ones as he loved goofing around with practical jokes, physical humor, funny voices and witty one-liners. His grandchildren will remember him as monkey man as he always had them laughing. To them he was the most important person in the room.
A family man first, he honored his mother, cherished his children and grandchildren, and was a devoted husband.
Jerry, you loved all the superheroes but never realized that you were our superhero.
He was preceded in death by his father Robert; wife Mary; and granddaughter Ava.
He is survived by wife Jeanne; mother Elaine Reynolds; son Michael (Kelly); daughter Stephanie Holland (Dan); grandchildren: Julius "JJ," Hattie, and Luke; stepchildren: Lindsay (Luke), Bethany, Gabriel; and step-grandson Bode; along with many additional other special relatives.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016, at Cornerstone Church, 1403 1st Avenue SW, with Pastor David Simerson officiating. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery. Father Dale Tupper will officiate at a 7 p.m. prayer service on Friday evening at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary where friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday and at the church for one hour before the service on Saturday.
Casket bearers will be Matt Holten, Josh Kunze, Jeff Wilkinson, Dan Holland, Jon Erichson and Doug Reynolds.
Published 10:10 am Friday, February 19, 2016 - Austin Daily Herald
Gerald Thomas (Jerry) Wilkinson, 59, died on Feb. 13, 2016.
Jerry was born April 9, 1956, in Mason City, Iowa, to Robert and Elaine. He attended Pacelli High School in Austin, MN, graduating in 1974. He then attended Riverland Technical College in Austin and received a certification in carpentry in 1976. In the same year he married Mary Wilde and together they had two children. After graduation, he worked in construction for his uncle's company, Rinehart Construction, in the Twin Cities. He then worked in Austin for D&W Construction and Bor-Son Construction with whom he served as leadman carpenter on the new Hormel plant. He began his long career with the City of Austin Street Department in 1983 and was promoted to engineering technician in 2005. Throughout his working career he took many side jobs shingling roofs. However, many of these jobs were given out freely to his many friends. Jerry married Jeanne Howatt on Dec. 31, 2013.
Jerry made a difference with his passion, support and work with Relay for Life's fight against cancer, a disease that directly affected his family. While serving as team captain, Team Believe won many awards, and in 2013 he was honored with the Barb Langan Volunteer Award. Jerry was captain of the first Relay for Life team in Mower County to raise over $10,000.
He was a devout Catholic his whole life and gave of his time and talents to St. Augustine Church. He developed an even more intimate relationship with God in his latter years. He would like for you to follow in his steps.
Jerry was an avid Lakers, Vikings and Twins fan. Playing hoops with the guys were some of his happiest memories. He loved fishing, biking, motorcycling and trying to beat his "Mommy" at cribbage.
He had a spirit of excellence evidenced by his neatness, organization, and pride in his work. He always said that if you're going to do a job, it should be done the right way.
Our gentle giant had the biggest feet, the biggest hands, but most importantly, the biggest heart. A hug from him was the strongest hug you may ever have had. He gave of himself through many acts of service to others. He was a positive and thankful man. A trip to Hy-Vee was never short as he was literally "the smile in every aisle."
He was known as "Goofball" to his loved ones as he loved goofing around with practical jokes, physical humor, funny voices and witty one-liners. His grandchildren will remember him as monkey man as he always had them laughing. To them he was the most important person in the room.
A family man first, he honored his mother, cherished his children and grandchildren, and was a devoted husband.
Jerry, you loved all the superheroes but never realized that you were our superhero.
He was preceded in death by his father Robert; wife Mary; and granddaughter Ava.
He is survived by wife Jeanne; mother Elaine Reynolds; son Michael (Kelly); daughter Stephanie Holland (Dan); grandchildren: Julius "JJ," Hattie, and Luke; stepchildren: Lindsay (Luke), Bethany, Gabriel; and step-grandson Bode; along with many additional other special relatives.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016, at Cornerstone Church, 1403 1st Avenue SW, with Pastor David Simerson officiating. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery. Father Dale Tupper will officiate at a 7 p.m. prayer service on Friday evening at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary where friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday and at the church for one hour before the service on Saturday.
Casket bearers will be Matt Holten, Josh Kunze, Jeff Wilkinson, Dan Holland, Jon Erichson and Doug Reynolds.
Published 10:10 am Friday, February 19, 2016 - Austin Daily Herald
OBITUARY
Gerald Thomas (Jerry) Wilkinson, 59, died on Feb. 13, 2016.
Jerry was born April 9, 1956, in Mason City, Iowa, to Robert and Elaine. He attended Pacelli High School in Austin, MN, graduating in 1974. He then attended Riverland Technical College in Austin and received a certification in carpentry in 1976. In the same year he married Mary Wilde and together they had two children. After graduation, he worked in construction for his uncle's company, Rinehart Construction, in the Twin Cities. He then worked in Austin for D&W Construction and Bor-Son Construction with whom he served as leadman carpenter on the new Hormel plant. He began his long career with the City of Austin Street Department in 1983 and was promoted to engineering technician in 2005. Throughout his working career he took many side jobs shingling roofs. However, many of these jobs were given out freely to his many friends. Jerry married Jeanne Howatt on Dec. 31, 2013.
Jerry made a difference with his passion, support and work with Relay for Life's fight against cancer, a disease that directly affected his family. While serving as team captain, Team Believe won many awards, and in 2013 he was honored with the Barb Langan Volunteer Award. Jerry was captain of the first Relay for Life team in Mower County to raise over $10,000.
He was a devout Catholic his whole life and gave of his time and talents to St. Augustine Church. He developed an even more intimate relationship with God in his latter years. He would like for you to follow in his steps.
Jerry was an avid Lakers, Vikings and Twins fan. Playing hoops with the guys were some of his happiest memories. He loved fishing, biking, motorcycling and trying to beat his "Mommy" at cribbage.
He had a spirit of excellence evidenced by his neatness, organization, and pride in his work. He always said that if you're going to do a job, it should be done the right way.
Our gentle giant had the biggest feet, the biggest hands, but most importantly, the biggest heart. A hug from him was the strongest hug you may ever have had. He gave of himself through many acts of service to others. He was a positive and thankful man. A trip to Hy-Vee was never short as he was literally "the smile in every aisle."
He was known as "Goofball" to his loved ones as he loved goofing around with practical jokes, physical humor, funny voices and witty one-liners. His grandchildren will remember him as monkey man as he always had them laughing. To them he was the most important person in the room.
A family man first, he honored his mother, cherished his children and grandchildren, and was a devoted husband.
Jerry, you loved all the superheroes but never realized that you were our superhero.
He was preceded in death by his father Robert; wife Mary; and granddaughter Ava.
He is survived by wife Jeanne; mother Elaine Reynolds; son Michael (Kelly); daughter Stephanie Holland (Dan); grandchildren: Julius "JJ," Hattie, and Luke; stepchildren: Lindsay (Luke), Bethany, Gabriel; and step-grandson Bode; along with many additional other special relatives.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016, at Cornerstone Church, 1403 1st Avenue SW, with Pastor David Simerson officiating. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery. Father Dale Tupper will officiate at a 7 p.m. prayer service on Friday evening at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary where friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday and at the church for one hour before the service on Saturday.
Casket bearers will be Matt Holten, Josh Kunze, Jeff Wilkinson, Dan Holland, Jon Erichson and Doug Reynolds.
Published 10:10 am Friday, February 19, 2016 - Austin Daily Herald
Gerald Thomas (Jerry) Wilkinson, 59, died on Feb. 13, 2016.
Jerry was born April 9, 1956, in Mason City, Iowa, to Robert and Elaine. He attended Pacelli High School in Austin, MN, graduating in 1974. He then attended Riverland Technical College in Austin and received a certification in carpentry in 1976. In the same year he married Mary Wilde and together they had two children. After graduation, he worked in construction for his uncle's company, Rinehart Construction, in the Twin Cities. He then worked in Austin for D&W Construction and Bor-Son Construction with whom he served as leadman carpenter on the new Hormel plant. He began his long career with the City of Austin Street Department in 1983 and was promoted to engineering technician in 2005. Throughout his working career he took many side jobs shingling roofs. However, many of these jobs were given out freely to his many friends. Jerry married Jeanne Howatt on Dec. 31, 2013.
Jerry made a difference with his passion, support and work with Relay for Life's fight against cancer, a disease that directly affected his family. While serving as team captain, Team Believe won many awards, and in 2013 he was honored with the Barb Langan Volunteer Award. Jerry was captain of the first Relay for Life team in Mower County to raise over $10,000.
He was a devout Catholic his whole life and gave of his time and talents to St. Augustine Church. He developed an even more intimate relationship with God in his latter years. He would like for you to follow in his steps.
Jerry was an avid Lakers, Vikings and Twins fan. Playing hoops with the guys were some of his happiest memories. He loved fishing, biking, motorcycling and trying to beat his "Mommy" at cribbage.
He had a spirit of excellence evidenced by his neatness, organization, and pride in his work. He always said that if you're going to do a job, it should be done the right way.
Our gentle giant had the biggest feet, the biggest hands, but most importantly, the biggest heart. A hug from him was the strongest hug you may ever have had. He gave of himself through many acts of service to others. He was a positive and thankful man. A trip to Hy-Vee was never short as he was literally "the smile in every aisle."
He was known as "Goofball" to his loved ones as he loved goofing around with practical jokes, physical humor, funny voices and witty one-liners. His grandchildren will remember him as monkey man as he always had them laughing. To them he was the most important person in the room.
A family man first, he honored his mother, cherished his children and grandchildren, and was a devoted husband.
Jerry, you loved all the superheroes but never realized that you were our superhero.
He was preceded in death by his father Robert; wife Mary; and granddaughter Ava.
He is survived by wife Jeanne; mother Elaine Reynolds; son Michael (Kelly); daughter Stephanie Holland (Dan); grandchildren: Julius "JJ," Hattie, and Luke; stepchildren: Lindsay (Luke), Bethany, Gabriel; and step-grandson Bode; along with many additional other special relatives.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016, at Cornerstone Church, 1403 1st Avenue SW, with Pastor David Simerson officiating. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery. Father Dale Tupper will officiate at a 7 p.m. prayer service on Friday evening at Clasen-Jordan Mortuary where friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday and at the church for one hour before the service on Saturday.
Casket bearers will be Matt Holten, Josh Kunze, Jeff Wilkinson, Dan Holland, Jon Erichson and Doug Reynolds.
Published 10:10 am Friday, February 19, 2016 - Austin Daily Herald
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