Obituary of Gerry Jernell

In Memory of Gerry Jernell

Gerry Jernell, age 88, passed away while holding hands with her beloved sons Andy and Chuck, and daughter-in-law, Lisa.

Born April 23, 1935, in Madison, Wisconsin to LaVerne and Rosemary Otis, Gerry spent her childhood in Madison until the family moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota. She graduated from St. Louis Park High School in 1953. She subsequently met the love of her life, Gale Jernell, and they married on October 23, 1960. Their love story came to an unexpected end on June 13, 1967, when Gale passed away, leaving Gerry to raise two young sons under the age of four.

Gerry loved playing euchre and other games of chance with her family. During her card-playing days she played great, average, and mediocre hands. In the card game of life, she played a mediocre hand like a Las Vegas card shark. Yet, she took no chances when it came to her boys.

Gerry was immensely proud of the two men she raised. She did so on a shoestring. In the early days, she cleaned houses and later became a bookkeeper, never losing sight of providing her kids with the best and safest childhood possible. She surrounded them with so much love and the support of her family. Gerry became a grandmother in 2004. One of her greatest sources of joy were her two grandchildren, Alexandra and John. Her love for them knew no bounds.

Gerry’s less-than-glamorous traits were her staunch independence and, was she ever headstrong. She lived her life in the way that she wanted and accepted responsibility for her actions and decisions, without other people’s advice or interference. It goes without saying that this could, at times, drive her family nuts! To that end, her grandchildren would often say that “Grandma is so iconic. “There is no doubt that Gerry did it all her way, and we sure loved her for it.

Gerry was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and the following siblings and extended family members: Bob (Lil) Otis, Don (Shirley) Otis, Harold (Carol) Otis, Charlotte (Bob) Armstrong, Jim Otis, Shirley Lemke, Theodore (Bonnie) Otis, Georgiana Otis, Mr. and Mrs. Archie Jernell, Delores Collver (Lyle), Bruce Jernell, Lyle Davenport, and Virgil Swing,

She will be forever remembered by her loving family Andy (Eleni) and Chuck (Lisa), grandchildren Alexandra and John, Matt (Rachael) Cashin, and Shane (Sadie) Cashin. She is also survived by her siblings: Jeanne Swing, John (Jeanne) Otis, Thomas Otis (John St. Germain), Richard (Chris) Otis, Frank (Phyllis) Otis, as well as extended family members, Patrica Davenport, Peggy Mulcahy, Dean (Patricia) Jernell, Jean Christenson, Marion Jernell, Leonard Lemke, Audrey Otis, and numerous nephews, nieces, and friends.

The family of Gerry Jernell would like to extend their sincere gratitude and thanks to the many nurses and aides at Round Lake Senior Living Facility and Lifespark Hospice for the wonderful care that they provided to Gerry. May Gerry’s memory be eternal.