Update on Jerry Stensrud

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Dear Class Family,
I would like to take this time to thank each and every one of you for welcoming both Jerry and I into your hearts of friendship and kindness. He loved each and everyone of you and was so honored that you allowed him to be a part of your class of 1960. I can never convey what it meant to him that night at the class reunion and he got to see and meet you all face to face. The best way I can say it is on the way home from Albert Lea that Sunday afternoon he did not want to leave, He said it felt so good to belong to something so special that included so many people that he loved so dearly. Most of all he was truly blessed to see all his classmates before he passed away. That was a memory that truly stayed in his heart and mind.
Next I would like to thank everyone for the wonderful visits, Calls, cards, prayers and the loving friendship that you gave to Jerry and I. Wow you all filled our heart so much. That was a memory I will forever keep and Jerry got to take with him to keep forever. It is so wonderful how just giving a little part of yourself gets passed on to so many.
I have some wonderful news to share with all of you. Jerry was able to donate his corneas from his eyes and two different people can see today because of it. He will still live on.
You the class of 1960 be so proud of yourselves, hold you heads high............you pleased God and other humans with your love, kindness, and goodness. May the 50th Class Reunion be the peek of that mountain to each and everyone of you.
 
My love, thoughts and prayers and wonderful memories are with you each day.
Love Carol and the rest of Jerry's family

 

Copied from the Albert Lea Tribune Obituary column.

Gerald Stensrud, 65, Emmetsburg, Iowa
Friday, January 4, 2008 9:43 AM CST

Gerald Joseph Stensrud, son of Milo Otto and Mildred Mae (Peck) Stensrud, was born Sept. 29, 1942, in Rochester. He received his education in Albert Lea.

A memorial service is on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Mallard, Iowa. The Rev. Neil Hayen will officiate. Visitation is from 9 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Interment is at Ellington Cemetery, Mallard, Iowa. Martin-Mattice Funeral Home are in charge of arrangements.

On Dec. 10, 1967, Jerry was united in marriage to Carol Meyer in Albert Lea. To this union two daughters were born.

Jerry was employed as an engineer in 1966 with Queens for several years and then went to work for Ice-O-Matic. He worked in Chicago, Pennsylvania and Denver. Ice-O-Matic bought out Queens so actually Jerry ended up retiring from the same company he started working for. During his career as an engineer Jerry developed three international patents and nine other patents. His health forced him to retire and he and Carol moved to Mallard where they were closer to family.

Jerry loved fishing and playing his guitar. He was an avid reader and especially enjoyed Stephen King novels. Jerry was a longtime friend of Bill W. and was always willing to help others whenever he could. He set up countless Web sites for people and loved doing computer work. Jerry’s true love was his family and especially his grandchildren.

Jerry was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Mallard. He was also a member of Jaycees, A.A., R.E.A.C.T. (a C.B. organization), and numerous professional organizations.

Jerry died Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2008, at the Palo Alto County Hospital in Emmetsburg, Iowa, at the age of 65. He was preceded in death by his mother, Mildred Stensrud; a sister and brother-in-law, Romaine and James Klawitter; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Norbert and Vest Meyer; a brother-in-law, David Meyer; as well as other dear relatives.

He is survived by his wife, Carol of Mallard, Iowa; his children, Rhanah Becknal and her husband, Derek of Algona, Iowa, Kirstin Bradshaw and her husband, Brett of Springfield, Ill.; seven grandchildren; his father, Milo Stensrud of Winona; a brother, Richard Stensrud and his wife, Virginia of Lakefield; as well as many other relatives and countless friends.

 

January 3, 2008

    This is the sad note which no one wants to read. We lost our friend, Jerry, at 6:17pm on January 2, 2008.

His dear wife, Carol, and daughters and their families were at his side when he peaceably breathed his last.

    He has been fighting this cancer longer than most of us realized. It's been years.

    Jerry should be remembered for his love for the ALHS Class of 1960. He did everything in his power to locate each class member and invite them to the 45th class reunion. He love you all.

    Jerry's funeral will be January 5, 2008 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Mallard, IA at 11:30am.

May you know God's peace in your remembering this great friend.

Joel

 

P.S. Read this poem written by the Reims, below

 

As the Final Curtain Falls

 

As the final curtain begins to fall

we all reflect on how Jerry stood so tall.

 

In his final days he worked so hard,

to gather the class of 1960 until cancer dealt him a loosing card.

 

We will all be forever thankful to Jerry for his relentless job of tracking us down,

as he burned up the lines from town to town.

 

Of all who knew and loved him it is truly a sad day,

but as we know none of us have come to stay.

 

I'm sure he will be planning the reunion of 2060,

and that will be a sight for all of us see.

 

Until we meet again that year,

we know he will be forever near.

 

Larry and LaVern Reim