Gerald W Meuleners

Gerald “Gerry” W. Meuleners, 86, of Spicer, formerly of Willmar, died Monday at CentraCare Rice Hospital after a hard-fought extended illness.

The memorial service celebrating Gerry’s life will be at noon, Saturday, May 13 at Faith Lutheran Church in Spicer.  Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service.  Arrangements are with Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar, www.hafh.org. Memorials preferred to Struthers Parkinson’s Center 

( https://www.healthpartners.com/care/specialty-centers/struthers-parkinsons-center/donate/donate-form/ ) Twin Cities.

Gerald William Meuleners was the son of Clarence “Butch” and Erna (Keuseman) Meuleners and was born, the eldest of four children, on August 18, 1936, in Bird Island, MN.  The family moved to Willmar just prior to his senior year in high school, where he graduated in 1953.  He pursued additional education at Macalester College in St. Paul as well as the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.

Gerry was united in marriage to Mildred “Milly” Elaine Dykshorn in Sioux Center, Iowa, on February 9, 1963.  They were blessed with three children and enjoyed 47 years together before Milly’s passing in 2010.

He joined his parents in running the family hardware business in downtown Willmar (established in 1953) in 1956.  Originally a Coast to Coast store, it was later rebranded to Hardware Hank.  Gerry was active in the business for 48 years before he and Milly sold it in 2004.  They were fortunate to retire to the longtime family lake home in Spicer at that time.

An avid fisherman and hunter throughout his life, he was still actively fishing mainly for “big Green Lake crappies” as recently as last spring. 

He is survived by his children, Dirk Meuleners of Spicer, Mark Meuleners of Moorhead, Anne (Jeffrey) Wild of Alexandria and grandchildren, Jenni Wild (soon-to-be married to Austin Aghamirzai) and Cole Wild.  Two of his sisters, Sue and Pat, also mourn his loss.

He was preceded in death by his parents and youngest sister, Janet.

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