Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, January 2nd at 10:00 AM at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church in St. Cloud for Gerry M. Donlin, age 79, of Sauk Rapids, who died on Monday at St. Benedict’s Senior Community. Rev. Tony Oelrich will officiate. Burial will be in Assumption Cemetery. Friends may call on Friday between 4:00-8:00 PM at the Daniel Funeral Home and on Saturday one hour prior to services at the Church. Parish Prayers will be on Friday evening at 7:30 PM.
Gerry was born October 30, 1930 in St. Cloud to Thomas A. and Clara (Ladner) Donlin. He graduated from Cathedral High School in 1948, attended St. Cloud State, served in the Army from 1952-1954 and graduated from St. John’s University in 1955. He attended Law School at William Mitchell in 1959. Gerry married Colleen Clifford September 1st, 1956 at Holy Angels Catholic Church in St. Cloud. He was employed by the Donlin Millwork Company for many years. He founded American Payment Centers in 1976. Gerry lived in the St. Cloud area most of his married life.
Gerry was very active in local organizations and politics, including being a member of the St. Cloud City Council for 13 years, the International Order of Hoo-Hoo’s, St. Cloud Jaycees’, Knights of Columbus Council # 961, Toastmasters, St. Cloud Sertoma Club, Serra Club, and promoted the Northstar Rail. Gerry was a member of St. Augustine’s Catholic Church and a former board member of Birthline and Cathedral High School.
Survivors include his wife Colleen, children, Pat Donlin (Lila) Cold Spring, Ann Russ (Lewie) Grand Haven, Michigan, Aimee Bates (Robb) St. Cloud, brother, Larry Donlin (Rita) Chanhassen, grandchildren, Andrew, Bethany and Seth Donlin, Elijah and Riley Russ, Maria, John, Ana and Sophia Bates.
He was preceded in death by his parents, son Joseph in 1966, brothers, Thomas and Charlie Donlin, and sisters Mary Tess Stangl, and Clara Ann Condon.
The family would especially like to thank Fr Meinrad Dindorf OSB and the staff at St. Benedict’s Center for their extraordinary care given during Gerry’s time of need.
Memorials are preferred to the St. Benedict’s Senior Community and the Poor Clares Monastery.
During my years at St. Peter’s Parish I had the good fortune to get to know Jerry. He was supportive, kind and wise. My sympathy to you, Colleen and to your family. Jerry was a faith-filled and generous person. God rest him, I admired Jerry.
Neil Emon, OSC
Phoenix, Arizona
Dear Aimee and Family,
All my love and prayers to you during this time of mourning. Be comforted that your dad is now with God.
I get a smile on my face just thinking about Gerry. I remember his as ALWAYS have a joke at hand, or teasing us in some way. My fondest memories are of spending time with your lovely family up at the cabin, and your dad teaching me how to fish and water ski all in one weekend. And, of course, no weekend would have been complete without the fabulous “Moon Rides”. Thanks Mr. Donlin, thanks Gerry, and thank you Donlin family for sharing him with all of us.
I was on the CHS board at the same time as Gerry and I was always impressed at how he was always looking for ways to make CHS a better school. That was Gerry, always trying to make things better.
Our children attended CHS together and Gerry and I attended many events together. He was always so friendly and caring.
It was Gerry who first invited me to go to Demontreville on retreat. He always would check with me to make certain everything was ok. I shared 20years on retreat with Gerry, who had a very strong faith. Gerry worked to make this a better world and will be missed.
Merle
My thoughts and prayers are with the Donlin family. My fondest memories are of Mr. Donlin’s smiles and tolerance of many of us descending on the Donlin household for movie nights, dinner parties or trivial pursuit nights. His kind and gentle way and love for his family was very evident. Aimee – your dad was such a wonderful gift to you and you are a wonderful legacy to him in the beautiful person you are.
Peace be with you.
Much Love – Shelly
What I remember most about Gerry is his willingness to tote us girls to football games, to slumber parties to the mall, to whereever we wanted to go. As long as this farm girl could find a way to the Donlin house I knew I would have a great time with friends and feel loved by Gerry and Colleen. His generous heart and his inspired spirit was an inspiration to me. Aimee, Robb, Colleen and the kids – you are in my prayers.
Gerry was a good and kind man. We enjoyed having brunch with him on Sundays and discussing everything under the sun. He will be missed but we know he is enjoying eternal life with Christ in heaven. Condolences and love to all his family, especially Colleen & the Bates family.
Hi Pat,
So sorry to hear of the passing of your father. I am hopeful that his memories will carry you through these difficult times. Perhaps our paths will cross in central MN some time.
Best,
Kevin Bestgen
My heart ached when I learned of Gerry’s death. He was such a good,kind man and a wonderful cousin. He leaves a void in my life. I am sure he is with God. I have never known anyone who lived a more spiritual life. When you knew him, you knew the Lord. Please accept our deepest sympathy and prayers.
Larry and Claire Chouinard
Colleen, You and all the Family are in our prayer’s.
Gerry and Colleen have both been so welcoming to me and my family in the 14 years that we’ve been part of the Donlin family. When my son Matt moved to St. Cloud and started working at the hospital, they invited him to their home and took him out to brunch, making him feel at home in a town where he didn’t know anyone. Gerry had a great sense of humor and always had a twinkle in his eye. We will miss him.
This past summer at the Cousin’s Reunion I watched as the kids took their turns skiing, spotting, and riding as Pat ran the boat and made sure everyone had a turn. Watching Pat was just like watching Uncle Gerry over 45 years ago. The smiles, laughter, love and fun has been passed on down through the generations and we can all thank God, Uncle Gerry, and Aunt Colleen for that!There is an old Irish saying that I think fits Uncle Gerry perfectly-Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand. Love you Uncle Gerry and give my Dad a big hug from me!
What a great guy! He will be missed! Nice to hear all the comments on the radio and what the paper had to say about him. It is evident he positively touched many lives during his tenure here on earth. Godspeed
Steve and I are very blessed by the friendship of the Donlins. Gerry and Colleen did a wonderful job is raising a strong Christian man. Gerry’s legacy will live on in Patrick and will pass those wonderful charactoristics on to his children just as his father passed on to him.
We stand with you in your time of saddness and we love you in Christ!
Molly Olivier
We are deeply saddened by the loss of Mr. Donlin and express our sympathy to the family. I will always remember Mr. Donlin as a kind and straightforward person who cared about other people and was very tolerant of the giggling antics of us girls growing up.
Our thoughts and prayers to you all. We love you and will miss Gerry. All of my earliest lake memories have Gerry in them and it brings a smile to my face! He was a great man and he leaves behind a wonderful family as a testiment to his life. You’re in our prayers, Jean, Rachel,Sarah, Grace and Abby.
“I know, my God, that you examine our hearts and rejoice when you find integrity there.” 1 Chronicles 29:17
My father in-law was a man of integrity.
I am very blessed to be married to his son.
My prayers are with all of you during this hard time. Find comfort knowing Gerry is now with God.
May God bless Uncle Gerry and may the light of our Lord be upon his face. You are all in our prayers. May God’s blessing be upon you!
Love and prayers to all. May happy memories sustain you. Peace.
Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, January 2nd at 10:00 AM at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church in St. Cloud for Gerry M. Donlin, age 79, of Sauk Rapids, who died on Monday at St. Benedict’s Senior Community. Rev. Tony Oelrich will officiate. Burial will be in Assumption Cemetery. Friends may call on
Friday between 4:00-8:00 PM at the Daniel Funeral Home and on Saturday one hour prior to services at the Church. Parish Prayers will be on Friday evening at 7:30 PM.
