Jerome "Jerry" Gefre of Owatonna, MN, died Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, MN.
Jerry was born in Aberdeen, SD, on August 31, 1931, to John and Eva (Geier) Gefre. He attended elementary school at St. Mary's in Aberdeen and went on to graduate from Aberdeen Central High School in 1949. After graduation, he began working at International Foods in 1950. He was united in marriage to Leona Spinler at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Kenyon, MN, on June 30, 1962. Together, the couple raised four boys. Jerry worked at JC Penny as the shoe department manager and part time at Duffy's Grocery Store until his retirement in 1987.
Jerry was an Honorary Life member of the Knights of Columbus, a member of the Eagles and St. Joseph Church. He enjoyed spending time watching his grandsons' sporting events and traveling to South Dakota to visit family. His life interests included watching the Twins and the Vikings. For many years, he enjoyed volunteering for the Salvation Army by ringing the bell and helping with the Knights of Columbus Tootsie Roll drive which benefits Special Olympics. He loved to walk and enjoyed shoveling his neighbors' driveways.
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