1927
Gerald
2011
Gerald Loher
January 28, 1927 — November 30, 2011
Funeral services for Gerald Loher of Morris, will be held Tuesday, December 6, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at Assumption Catholic Church in Morris. Father Robert Kieffer will be officiating. Visitation will be held Monday from 4 to 8 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 and a KC rosary to follow at Assumption Catholic Church in Morris, and for one hour prior to services at the church on Tuesday. Burial will be in the Calvary Cemetery in Morris. Military rites will be provided by Morris American Legion, VFW and AmVets.
Gerald August Loher, son of Bernard and Helen (Medinger) Loher, was born January 28, 1927 in Stevens County, near Morris, Minnesota. Jerry grew up in Morris and received his education at St. Mary's School. While growing up, Jerry worked with his father in the family's construction business. In 1943, Jerry entered the U.S. Navy, serving his country during WWII. Following his discharge, he returned to Morris and continued working with his father. In 1947, Jerry met the love of his life, Lois Schmidt, while at the roller skating rink. The couple was united in marriage on April 6, 1948 at St. Charles Catholic Church in Herman. Following their marriage, they made their home in Morris, where their union was blessed with nine children. Jerry eventually purchased the construction business and named it Gerald Loher Construction. In 1963, they moved to a farm site west of Morris, where they lived and operated their business until retiring in 1985. At that time, they moved back into Morris, but also enjoyed spending the winter months living in various southern states. Lois passed away on June 26, 2010, and Jerry remained in their home in Morris since that time.
Over the years, Jerry was very active in a wide variety of areas. He was a dedicated member of Assumption Church in Morris, where he served on the church council, the St. Mary's School Board and the Knights of Columbus, serving as Grand Knight two different times and one term as District Grand Knight. He also served on the board of the Villa of St. Francis and St. Francis Health Services for over 45 years. Jerry also served the Morris Fire Department from 1950 to 1963, and spent 12 years serving his community as a Stevens County Commissioner. In his spare time, he enjoyed being active with the Morris Flying Club and taking his family fishing. He also loved to create art pieces out of stained glass, which he often donated to people and organizations. Of all his interests in life, Jerry's family meant everything to him, and he dedicated his life to caring for them and always being there to support them. He will truly be missed by all those who knew and loved him.
Jerry died on Wednesday, November 30, 2011 at his home in Morris, MN, having lived to reach the age of 84 years.
He is survived by his children and their families: children of Audrey Perkins (deceased): Shannon (Jason) Wilson and their children, Carter & Brooklyn and Amiee Perkins; Debra (Ron) Bauer of St. Cloud and their daughter, Amanda (Edward van der Schans) Bauer; Bill (Jayne) Loher of Pine City and their children: Natalie Loher and Chris Trudeau and his children, Kealyn, Chris Jr. and Dimitri; Joanie (Craig) Murphy and their daughter, Erin Murphy; Helen (LeRoy) Hennen of Blaine and their children: Heather (Paul) Karpinski and their children, Ben, Abbey, John and Jenna, and Heidi (Jeff) Auel and their children, Avery and Inga; Tim (Darla) Loher of Morris and their daughters, Jenny (Matt Mushitz) Loher and their children, Baylee and Caden, and Meghan Loher; Jerry Jr. (Jody) Loher of Donnelly and their children: Erica (Matt) Jahner and their children, Crystal and Michael, Gerald III (Erica) Loher, Andrew Loher and Jana Loher; Pat (Katie) Loher of Eagan and their children, Nick Loher, Tracy Loher and Jason Loher; and Rick (Jennifer) Loher of Detroit, MI and their children, Adam (Jenna) Harvey and their children, Noah, Austin and Annebell, Rachel (Calvin) Schultz, Matthew Harvey, Joshua Loher and Ryan Loher; two sisters: Sister Audrey Loher O.S.F. of Tucson, AZ and Virginia Jablonski of Cottage Grove, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lois; his daughter, Audrey Perkins; his grandson, Michael Loher; his parents; six brothers and three sisters.
Pallbearers for the service are Jerry's Sons: Bill Loher, Tim Loher, Jerry Loher Jr., Pat Loher and Rick Loher. Linda Hodgson will serve as pianist for the service, with Ken Hodgson serving as song leader. Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements.
**In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to St. Mary's School and the Stevens County Historical Society.**
Gerald August Loher, son of Bernard and Helen (Medinger) Loher, was born January 28, 1927 in Stevens County, near Morris, Minnesota. Jerry grew up in Morris and received his education at St. Mary's School. While growing up, Jerry worked with his father in the family's construction business. In 1943, Jerry entered the U.S. Navy, serving his country during WWII. Following his discharge, he returned to Morris and continued working with his father. In 1947, Jerry met the love of his life, Lois Schmidt, while at the roller skating rink. The couple was united in marriage on April 6, 1948 at St. Charles Catholic Church in Herman. Following their marriage, they made their home in Morris, where their union was blessed with nine children. Jerry eventually purchased the construction business and named it Gerald Loher Construction. In 1963, they moved to a farm site west of Morris, where they lived and operated their business until retiring in 1985. At that time, they moved back into Morris, but also enjoyed spending the winter months living in various southern states. Lois passed away on June 26, 2010, and Jerry remained in their home in Morris since that time.
Over the years, Jerry was very active in a wide variety of areas. He was a dedicated member of Assumption Church in Morris, where he served on the church council, the St. Mary's School Board and the Knights of Columbus, serving as Grand Knight two different times and one term as District Grand Knight. He also served on the board of the Villa of St. Francis and St. Francis Health Services for over 45 years. Jerry also served the Morris Fire Department from 1950 to 1963, and spent 12 years serving his community as a Stevens County Commissioner. In his spare time, he enjoyed being active with the Morris Flying Club and taking his family fishing. He also loved to create art pieces out of stained glass, which he often donated to people and organizations. Of all his interests in life, Jerry's family meant everything to him, and he dedicated his life to caring for them and always being there to support them. He will truly be missed by all those who knew and loved him.
Jerry died on Wednesday, November 30, 2011 at his home in Morris, MN, having lived to reach the age of 84 years.
He is survived by his children and their families: children of Audrey Perkins (deceased): Shannon (Jason) Wilson and their children, Carter & Brooklyn and Amiee Perkins; Debra (Ron) Bauer of St. Cloud and their daughter, Amanda (Edward van der Schans) Bauer; Bill (Jayne) Loher of Pine City and their children: Natalie Loher and Chris Trudeau and his children, Kealyn, Chris Jr. and Dimitri; Joanie (Craig) Murphy and their daughter, Erin Murphy; Helen (LeRoy) Hennen of Blaine and their children: Heather (Paul) Karpinski and their children, Ben, Abbey, John and Jenna, and Heidi (Jeff) Auel and their children, Avery and Inga; Tim (Darla) Loher of Morris and their daughters, Jenny (Matt Mushitz) Loher and their children, Baylee and Caden, and Meghan Loher; Jerry Jr. (Jody) Loher of Donnelly and their children: Erica (Matt) Jahner and their children, Crystal and Michael, Gerald III (Erica) Loher, Andrew Loher and Jana Loher; Pat (Katie) Loher of Eagan and their children, Nick Loher, Tracy Loher and Jason Loher; and Rick (Jennifer) Loher of Detroit, MI and their children, Adam (Jenna) Harvey and their children, Noah, Austin and Annebell, Rachel (Calvin) Schultz, Matthew Harvey, Joshua Loher and Ryan Loher; two sisters: Sister Audrey Loher O.S.F. of Tucson, AZ and Virginia Jablonski of Cottage Grove, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lois; his daughter, Audrey Perkins; his grandson, Michael Loher; his parents; six brothers and three sisters.
Pallbearers for the service are Jerry's Sons: Bill Loher, Tim Loher, Jerry Loher Jr., Pat Loher and Rick Loher. Linda Hodgson will serve as pianist for the service, with Ken Hodgson serving as song leader. Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangements.
**In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to St. Mary's School and the Stevens County Historical Society.**
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