Jerome Allan Augustson, 79, of Spicer died Saturday, June 11th at GlenOaks Care Center in New London. His funeral service will be 1:00 pm, Thursday, June 16th at Bethel Lutheran Church with visitation one hour prior to his service at the church. Interment is in the church cemetery. Memorials are preferred to Bethel Lutheran Church. Arrangements are with Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar. www.hafh.org
Jerome A. “Jerry” Augustson was born February 18, 1943, in Willmar, MN, the son of Oscar B. and Phyllis (Lundquist) Augustson. He was baptized and later confirmed his faith at Bethel Lutheran Church in Willmar. He grew up in Willmar and lived in the Sperryville neighborhood. As a family, they enjoyed spending the summers at their cottage on Lake Andrew. Jerry attended Willmar Public Schools and graduated from Willmar High School with the Class of 1961. Jerry enjoyed playing pool, and spent many hours at Art’s Pool Hall. Following high school he attended St. Cloud State, where he taught himself to play guitar. Jerry was a big fan of Buddy Holly and owned many of his albums. John Wayne was his idol. He’d often say “Hitch up the wagons pardner, we’re moving out!” We don’t know how accurate that quote was! In 1963, Jerry went to work for his dad at the West Central Tribune in the printing department.
On October 23, 1965, Jerry was united in marriage to Nancy Swenson at Svea Lutheran Church. This union was blessed with three children: Karin, Kyle and Keith. Sundays were a day to gather as a family for dinner at OB and Phyllis’ home.
In August, 1969, Jerry went to work for the Minneapolis Star Tribune, where he worked for 34 years. He was on their bowling and golf teams. Jerry drove school bus for 12 years for the Anoka/Hennepin School District. Jerry and Nancy and the kids enjoyed many camping trips in their pop-up camper including trips to Canada and over to Washington state and down to Yellowstone and Colorado. Jerry loved singing and playing guitar around the campfire. Later, he and Nancy enjoyed traveling to California, Mexico, Las Vagas, Texas, Virginia and a cruise. Jerry retired in January, 2003 and they moved back to the Nest Lake area, near Spicer.
Jerry suffered a stroke on January 12, 2022, and was moved to GlenOaks Care Center on January 25th.
Surviving are his wife, Nancy; sons, Kyle of Willmar and Keith of Spicer; granddaughter, Madilynne of Willmar; siblings: Judy (Don) Heath of New London, Joan Kodet of Willmar, Jane (Paul) Hedin of New London; and several nieces, nephews, and other family and friends.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Kärin; brother, John; sister, Jennifer; niece, Annie Augustson; and brother-in-law, Ron Kodet.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Jerry Allen Augustson, please visit our floral store.