Jerry Russel Gault

Jerry Gault of Spicer, MN passed away just before midnight on Tuesday, February 25th. The official cause of his death was kidney failure, but I think he was just tired of not being able to go anywhere.  He loved to get out and go, and I am not sure the location really mattered.  He was constantly engaging friends and strangers alike in conversation. He truly loved people.  I honestly never heard him say a negative word about anyone.  He was always supportive of his family and friends, but also willing to bust their chops. He adored a good joke.

Dad loved the Lord, his family, his friends, Pioneer, Iowa State, anyone playing the Hawkeyes, the next adventure, fishing ( I think he liked going fishing more than actually fishing), his yard, his garden, John Deere, breakfast, lunch, dinner, jackets( he had 50 of them), caps ( he had over 150 of them),  a good drink with friends, his chair, Norwegian food (yes there is such a thing), shoes/boots, his boat, farming, the next shortcut, watching sports…………………………he was a good guy.  We will miss him.

Dad was a special individual, that slowly had his life and identity stolen from him by dementia.  In hindsight, Dad began his dementia caused descent 8-10 years ago. He was able to continue to function for many years primarily because he was the most organized person I have ever met, but eventually Dad was forced to move into a memory facility in September of 2023.  We found a great place for him, and he was certainly well taken care of by the staff, but not a day went by, that he did not say he was waiting for so and so to pick him up.  He loved to go.

The family would like to thank the staff at Prairie Senior Cottages in Willmar, MN for the great care they provided Dad, they have a great team. The family would also like to thank the staff at the American Legion in Spicer, MN for making sure Dad had a hot meal every single night.  The last few years of his life, before he entered Prairie Senior Cottages, you could always find Dad in the Legion sitting near the end of the bar eating a porkchop around five o’clock.

Jerry Russel Gault was born March 18, 1938, in Britt Iowa, the only child of Weston Russel and Aletha Viola Gault. He grew up on a farm near Britt and graduated from Britt High School.  He earned his degree in Agronomy from Iowa State University in 1962.

The following year he began working for Pioneer Hi-Bred Seed Company, spending most of his Pioneer career working with the Sales Division in Minnesota. He retired from Pioneer in the year 2000 as an Area Sales Manager. Jerry loved working for Pioneer, and he loved the people he worked with.  Jerry spent his entire working career with Pioneer.

Jerry was united in marriage to Jeanette Guenther in Britt, Iowa on August 16th, 1959.  The couple was blessed with two sons, Steven and Scott.

He was a member of the Hope Presbyterian Church. In Spicer MN, serving two terms as a Deacon.

His family was important to him, and he loved having them visit.   He is survived by his wife Jeanette and his two sons; Steven (Cari) and their two sons:  Matthew (Laura) and Benjamin (Sydney);  Scott (Ginny) and their five children:  Erin (Tanner) Jones, Lauren (Addison) Cilli, Paige (Kellen) Schauermann, Faith (Tavish) Steele, Kaitlin Gault (fiance’ Tyler);  plus eleven great grandchildren: Logan Gault, Nolan Gault, Adalie Gault, Olivia Jones, Nathan Jones, James Jones, Chloe Cilli, Harlow Cilli, Kasen Schauermann, Jack Schauermann, and Piper Schauermann. He is also survived by a sister-in-law; Margaret (Robert) Bell, and two brothers-in-law; George (Janice) Guenther and Eugene (Julie) Guenther, plus many nieces and nephews.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, his sister-in-law Virginia Theulen, his brother-in-law Bernard Theulen and a Grandson, Joseph Gault.

A celebration of Jerry’s life will be held in the near future.  The family will be sending details soon.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials in Jerry’s name be made to The Hope Presbyterian Church, 7730 North Shore Dr., Spicer, MN 56288.

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