Gerald 'Jerry' Bahr

Memorial services for Gerald 'Jerry' Bahr will be held on Thursday, January 11, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Morris.  Reverend Michael Hanson will be officiating.  A visitation will be held on Wednesday from 5-7:00 p.m. at the Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris and will continue one hour prior to the services at the church on Thursday.  Burial will be at the Summit Cemetery in Morris.

Gerald ‘Jerry’ Wallace Bahr was born on November 18, 1934, to his parents Edward and LaVeta (Martin) Bahr at home in Pepperton Township, Stevens County, Minnesota. He was the youngest of three sons. Jerry was baptized February 1, 1940, at the Methodist Church in Morris. Jerry started his education at District 15 Country School. When that school closed, he continued his education in Alberta, graduating from Alberta High School in 1954.  Following high school, Jerry began farming with his dad in Scott Township by renting one-quarter section of land (minus a large slough and power lines) from his parents on shares.  In return for use of machinery, he helped his dad and brother Don farm their land. This began a tradition of each one farming their own land but working together. These three (and their families) continued to farm together for many years. After their parents’ retirement, Don and Jerry continued to farm together with Jerry’s son Scott coming on board; Jerry’s son Jason was later added to the operation.  There is no doubt that Jerry was a proud IH red machinery farmer. Jerry enjoyed time on the farm working on different projects and also enjoyed helping the “boys” in the farm and wood shops with their various projects, “supervising” and assisting. Through the years, Jerry spent most of his time grain farming of corn and soybeans and raising livestock which included farrow to finish hog production. As more and more technology such as Auto-Steer (a tractor that steers itself) arrived at the farm, Jerry was more than willing to give it a try, although at times it was a challenge and he would just shake his head.  He officially retired from farming in 2022, at the age of 88.  In all of his years of farming, he always enjoyed having a passenger in the buddy-seat so he could have some interesting and educational conversations with the youngsters. Those memories will be cherished by all who were able to sit next to him. When he was age 13, he contracted polio and was hospitalized for an extended period of time at the University of Minnesota Hospital and Elizabeth Kenny Institute. He never let this disability hinder him to carry out his daily life and duties on the farm. He was certainly admired for this.  

He met Sharon Greiner after being introduced by friends, and they were married on October 17, 1959, at Peace Lutheran Church in Morris.  After they wed, they rented a farmstead from Jerry’s parents which they bought and lived at for 40 years. They raised three sons; Scott, Timothy and Jason. In 1999, Jerry and Sharon built a home on the farm he was born on. They lived there for 24 years. Due to Jerry’s health issues, they both moved to The Legacy in Morris in August of 2023.

Jerry enjoyed traveling with his wife Sharon and friends on many trips over the years, either by bus or air travel. Their most memorable trips together were those to Alaska and New Zealand.  Their trips enabled them to be in all 50 states which he was very proud to say, and most of Canada. Most days at some point a person could find Jerry at a local coffee shop with friends, having great conversation while keeping up on community news and shaking dice.  Of course, the coffee would need to be accompanied by a cookie or two.  Bonanza and Gunsmoke were his favorite programs to watch on television, among others. Jerry was an avid bird watcher and made sure the feeders were filled in all seasons of the year. He and Sharon spent many hours working outside together, beautifying their yards with different projects; perhaps he was the farmer who just never stopped working until the day was done.  Over the years, they enjoyed attending activities of their sons and grandchildren. Jerry enjoyed playing cards with friends and family.  He also liked to drive around looking at the crops. Most importantly, he and Sharon enjoyed time spent together with family during the holidays. Jerry was a kind-hearted and giving person who you could always count on. His sense of humor and gentle teasing always made a person feel good, especially the little ones. Jerry had a strong relationship with God. He said that being a farmer you have to have a strong faith in God, especially after planting the seeds.  His legacy will carry on through his family down the generations. He will be missed dearly by family and all who called him friend.