Gerald L. "Jerry" Johnson

Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 3, 2018 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in St. Joseph for Gerald L. “Jerry” Johnson, age 85, of St. Joseph, who passed away on December 25, 2017 at the St. Cloud Hospital. Reverend Jerome Tupa,OSB will officiate. Burial will be in the parish cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 4:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 2, 2018 and from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service on Wednesday, all at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Heritage Hall.

Jerry was born on April 30^th, 1932 in Blue Grass, Minnesota to George and Esther (Mietzel) Johnson. He graduated from Wadena High School in 1949. In 1954, he was united in marriage to Theresa Wrede. While living in Wadena, Jerry was an accomplished baseball umpire, even being offered a minor league umpiring contract, which he declined. Jerry and his family moved to St. Joseph in 1964. Jerry worked as a route salesman for various companies, eventually retiring in 1995 as an independent distributor for Little Debbie Snacks. He was a volunteer firefighter for the Wadena and St. Joseph Fire Departments, retiring after 32 years of service and member of the Teamsters for 20 years. He enjoyed golfing, hunting, bowling, playing cards and spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Jerry is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Theresa; children, Debra (Steve) Herlofsky, Julie (John) Taufen, Gary (Mary) Johnson and Diane (Kevin) McGrew; grandchildren, Adam (Courtney) Schneider, Ryan Schneider, Eric (Bonnie) Schneider, Nicole (Aaron) Blackmore and Tasha Herlofsky; brother, Ronald (Jean) Johnson; nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents and granddaughter, Lindsey Johnson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.