1932
Gerald
2007
Gerald McWaters
December 5, 1932 — July 27, 2007
Gerald William "Jerry" McWaters, age 74 of Dennison, died on Friday afternoon, July 27, 2007, at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester.
Jerry was born on December 5, 1932, in Red Wing, the son of John and Cora (Windhorst) McWaters. He was baptized and confirmed at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Zumbrota. He grew up on a farm near Zumbrota and attended country grade school. He graduated from Zumbrota High School and later married Arla M. Skaro at Urland Lutheran Church near Cannon Falls on June 20, 1953. He was employed by the SE DHIA as a milk tester, and later hauled milk for Rochester Dairy. He went on to railroad school in Minneapolis and worked as a telegrapher in San Francisco, Gilroy and Gaviota, California. Later they moved back to Minnesota, to Arla's family farm, where he tested milk, drove truck and started farming. After he retired from farming, he was a truck driver for McNeilus Steel, Inc. As he and Arla raised their family, Jerry was active as a 4-H leader and helped his children with their animals. He loved being involved with his children as they grew up, and later with his grandchildren. He truly enjoyed going to all of their activities and sporting events. He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He helped raise his two oldest granddaughters, Annie and Megan, in their home. Jerry has been a member of Urland Lutheran Church since their marriage, and has served on the church council and cemetery boards.
Jerry will be remembered most for his love and dedication to family, his bright and cheerful smile, his positive attitude and his love of people. He was an inspiration to all!
Jerry is survived by his wife of 54 years, Arla; six children, Prudence (Michael) Busch of Chanhassen, Craig McWaters of Dennison, Kimberly (Rick) Miller of Morristown, Tamara Williams of Dennison, Ross (Lori) McWaters of Dennison and Stacy (Chad) Larson of Cannon Falls; ten grandchildren, Annie (Derek) Neumann, Megan (Mark) Conway, Kristina and Samantha Miller, Elizabeth McWaters, Aaron Busch, Natalie McWaters, Justin, Jordan and Alison Larson; one great-granddaughter, Emma Neumann; brother, James "Bud" (Lucille) McWaters of Zumbrota; brother-in-law, Truman (Joyce) Skaro of Dennison; sisters-in-law, Verna McWaters of Zumbrota, Shirley Prink of Cannon Falls and Beulah Jameson of Silver Springs, Maryland; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Duane "Babe" McWaters; sisters, Pearl McWaters and Eileen (Ervin) Lexvold; and sister-in-law, Joyce L. Skaro.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, August 2, at 2:00 p.m. at Urland Lutheran Church, with Pastor Charles Jacobson officiating. Interment will follow at the church cemetery. Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 4-8 p.m., with a prayer service at 4 p.m., at Lundberg Funeral Home in Cannon Falls. There will also be visitation at the church on Thursday from 1-2 p.m.
Memorials are preferred to Urland Lutheran Church or donor's choice.
Active pallbearers will be Richard "George",Dennis, and William "Bill" McWaters, Dennis Skaro, Rodney Prink, Lyle Lorenson and Jerald Berg. Honorary pallbearers will be his grandchildren, Annie Neumann, Megan Conway, Kristina and Samantha Miller, Elizabeth McWaters, Aaron Busch, Natalie McWaters, Justin, Jordan and Alison Larson, great-granddaughter, Emma Neumann; Goddaughter, Dawn Lorenson; and nieces and nephews that are so special to him.
Jerry was born on December 5, 1932, in Red Wing, the son of John and Cora (Windhorst) McWaters. He was baptized and confirmed at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Zumbrota. He grew up on a farm near Zumbrota and attended country grade school. He graduated from Zumbrota High School and later married Arla M. Skaro at Urland Lutheran Church near Cannon Falls on June 20, 1953. He was employed by the SE DHIA as a milk tester, and later hauled milk for Rochester Dairy. He went on to railroad school in Minneapolis and worked as a telegrapher in San Francisco, Gilroy and Gaviota, California. Later they moved back to Minnesota, to Arla's family farm, where he tested milk, drove truck and started farming. After he retired from farming, he was a truck driver for McNeilus Steel, Inc. As he and Arla raised their family, Jerry was active as a 4-H leader and helped his children with their animals. He loved being involved with his children as they grew up, and later with his grandchildren. He truly enjoyed going to all of their activities and sporting events. He loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He helped raise his two oldest granddaughters, Annie and Megan, in their home. Jerry has been a member of Urland Lutheran Church since their marriage, and has served on the church council and cemetery boards.
Jerry will be remembered most for his love and dedication to family, his bright and cheerful smile, his positive attitude and his love of people. He was an inspiration to all!
Jerry is survived by his wife of 54 years, Arla; six children, Prudence (Michael) Busch of Chanhassen, Craig McWaters of Dennison, Kimberly (Rick) Miller of Morristown, Tamara Williams of Dennison, Ross (Lori) McWaters of Dennison and Stacy (Chad) Larson of Cannon Falls; ten grandchildren, Annie (Derek) Neumann, Megan (Mark) Conway, Kristina and Samantha Miller, Elizabeth McWaters, Aaron Busch, Natalie McWaters, Justin, Jordan and Alison Larson; one great-granddaughter, Emma Neumann; brother, James "Bud" (Lucille) McWaters of Zumbrota; brother-in-law, Truman (Joyce) Skaro of Dennison; sisters-in-law, Verna McWaters of Zumbrota, Shirley Prink of Cannon Falls and Beulah Jameson of Silver Springs, Maryland; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Duane "Babe" McWaters; sisters, Pearl McWaters and Eileen (Ervin) Lexvold; and sister-in-law, Joyce L. Skaro.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, August 2, at 2:00 p.m. at Urland Lutheran Church, with Pastor Charles Jacobson officiating. Interment will follow at the church cemetery. Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 4-8 p.m., with a prayer service at 4 p.m., at Lundberg Funeral Home in Cannon Falls. There will also be visitation at the church on Thursday from 1-2 p.m.
Memorials are preferred to Urland Lutheran Church or donor's choice.
Active pallbearers will be Richard "George",Dennis, and William "Bill" McWaters, Dennis Skaro, Rodney Prink, Lyle Lorenson and Jerald Berg. Honorary pallbearers will be his grandchildren, Annie Neumann, Megan Conway, Kristina and Samantha Miller, Elizabeth McWaters, Aaron Busch, Natalie McWaters, Justin, Jordan and Alison Larson, great-granddaughter, Emma Neumann; Goddaughter, Dawn Lorenson; and nieces and nephews that are so special to him.
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