Coping with Grief
We would like to offer our sincere support to anyone coping with grief. Enter your email below for our complimentary daily grief messages. Messages run for up to one year and you can stop at any time. Your email will not be used for any other purpose.
Jerome J. Radermacher, 82, of Willmar, died Saturday, September 14th at Bethesda Grand.
Jerry was born January 13, 1937, in Milbank, South Dakota, the son of Anton and Elizabeth
(Hackert) Radermacher. He was raised on a farm near Bellingham, MN as one of nine
children. Following graduation from high school, Jerry served in the United States Army
where he was stationed in Germany for two years and later honorably discharged on
September 11, 1958. In 1962 he was united in marriage to Mary Ann Karels and to this
union three children were born: Neil, Lisa, and Dale. Since moving to Willmar in 1970, he’s
been a devoted member of St Mary’s Catholic church for 50 years. Jerry supervised the
workshop at Woodland Centers for 24 years where he started the Minnow Trap products,
later growing into a business of his own. He also enjoyed going “back home” to the farm
each fall to help with harvest.
In 1991 he was united in marriage to Bonnie Christian Butler, and recently celebrated their
28th anniversary. Jerry enjoyed spending time with his family, playing cards, and attending
his kids and grandkids’ activities. He was an avid baseball fan and enjoyed watching the
Minnesota Twins and attending Willmar Stingers games.
Surviving are his wife, Bonnie of Willmar; children: Neil (and Jodi) Radermacher of Eagan;
Lisa Carlson of Chaska; Dale (and Jennifer) Radermacher of Cottage Grove; stepdaughters,
Heidi Allen of Crystal and Tara (and special friend, Jeremy Guetter) Levine of Sartell and
13 grandchildren. Also surviving are his siblings: Roger (and Florence) Radermacher of
Hamilton, MT; Gerard Radermacher of Bellingham; Eugene (and Jane) Radermacher of
Arlington, WA; Loren (and Cheryl) Radermacher of Milbank, SD; Mary (and Roger) Karels of Bellingham and sister-in-law, Nancy Rademacher of Bellingham.
Jerry is survived by several nieces, nephews and other family members including, Maria
Radermacher (niece), whom they considered like a daughter.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister and brother-in-law, Verene (and Larry)
Rieffenberger; brothers, Howard Radermacher, Dennis Rademacher; son-in-law, Bill Allen;
sisters-in-law, Mary Radermacher, Cheryl Christian, Connie Caskey; brothers-in-law,
Mark, and James Christian.
The Mass of Jerry’s Christian Burial will be 11:00 am, Monday, September 30th at Church
of St. Mary in Willmar. Interment will be in the church cemetery with Military Honors by
American Legion Post #167. Visitation will be from 4-6 pm, Sunday, September 29th at
Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar with a Knights of Columbus Rosary at 6:00
pm. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Arrangements are
with Harvey Anderson Funeral Home, Willmar.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jerome J. Radermacher, please visit our floral store.