Gerald A. “Gerry” Wensmann, age 74 of Spring Hill, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, October 26, 2017 at the CentraCare Health Hospital in Melrose, Minnesota.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, November 2 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Spring Hill with Rev. Marvin Enneking officiating. Inurnment will be held in the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls at a later date. Military Honors will be provided by the Melrose Veterans Honor Guard.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and from 9 to 10 a.m. Thursday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. The Melrose Veterans Honor Guard will pray at 6 p.m. followed by parish prayers at 7 p.m. Wednesday evening at the funeral home.
Gerald Anton Wensmann was born August 25, 1943 in Spring Hill Township, Stearns County, Minnesota to Frank and Mary (Nieland) Wensmann. He graduated from Melrose High School and joined the U.S. Army where he served two years, stationed in Germany. On August 18, 1967 he was united in marriage to Angeline “Angie” Escher at St. Bartholomew’s Catholic Church in Villard. After his return from Germany, Gerry worked at the Melrose Telephone Company as a lineman. He then earned his license and was bonded as an auctioneer. Gerry continued his education and earned a diploma from Devry University in electronic communications. Throughout these careers, Gerry served in the National Guard and the Army Reserves for a total of 31 years of service.
He was a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Spring Hill where he loved to sing in the church choir, Schanhaar-Otte VFW Post 7050, and the American Legion Unit 101. Music was an important aspect of Gerry’s life. He enjoyed playing the concertina, listening to country western music, and dancing to old time music. Gerry was a volunteer for the Melrose Boy Scouts for over ten years. He also enjoyed carrying on conversations in German and was an animal lover. His wife, children, and grandchildren were the love of his life; he will be deeply missed.
Survivors include his wife, Angie Wensmann of Spring Hill; children, Angie (Tom) Boecker of Foley and Gerry (Melanie) Wensmann of Melrose; three granddaughters, Alexis, Alanna, and Ava Wensmann; brother, Arthur (Judith) Wensmann of Mission Viejo, California; sisters, Dorothy Ignatowicz of Minneapolis and Luella Moore of Minneapolis; and several nieces and nephews.
Gerry was preceded in death by his parents; sons, Roger and Robert Wensmann; sisters, Rosemary Schleicher and Viola Lambrecht.
Serving as casket bearers will be Kevin Beuning, Scott Poepping, Don Feldewerd, Greg Reinhart, Victor Uphoff, Steve Borgerding, David Muellner, and Delvin Durheim. Candle bearer will be Alexis Wensmann, scripture bearer will be Alanna Wensmann, and cross bearer will be Ava Wensmann.
Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral & Cremation Services of Melrose.
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