Gerald Danielson

Gerald "Jerry" Danielson, age 68, of Faribault, MN, passed away suddenly on Saturday, January 18, 2014 at his home, of natural causes.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, January 22, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at the Divine Mercy Catholic Church, 139 Mercy Drive, Faribault. Interment will be held at a later date at the Calvary Cemetery in Faribault.

Visitation will be held at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home & Crematory in Faribault on Tuesday from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. and on Wednesday for one hour prior to the services at the church.

Gerald Alden Danielson was born September 18, 1945, in Baraboo, Wisconsin, to Kenneth and Loretta (Blizek) Danielson. At age 2, the family moved to Waseca, Minnesota, to a farm on the edge of town (now the site of E.F. Johnson). It was in Waseca, that Jerry grew up and attended Sacred Heart School. Two of his most repeated memories, of his days growing up in Waseca, were that of him and his siblings having to run up State Street, after the cows had made another escape, and once having to jump out of the classroom window to avoid a Nun and her ruler!

In 1961, the family moved to California; living in Yuba City and then San Diego. Jerry attended high school in California, where he wrestled. His team nickname was "The Jolly Green Giant", as he was the tallest and friendliest member of the team. After the family returned to Minnesota, Jerry lived with his sister and brother-in-law, Rita and Glenn Schroeder, in Faribault, until his marriage to Delores "Dodie" Stuhr.

Jerry and Dodie were married on August, 7, 1965, in Northwood, Iowa, with his brother and sister-in-law, Tom and Mardy Danielson, as Best Man and Matron of Honor. From this marriage, Jerry and Dodie had four children. Jerry was a long-time member of the Owatonna Eagle's Club, having been sponsored by his then father-in-law, Elmer Stuhr, whom he always viewed as father. Jerry and Dodie divorced in 1974, and remained friends, always putting their son above any differences they may have had.

Jerry began working in Faribault, Minnesota, at Andrew's Nursery, along side his mother, Loretta. After his marriage, he began working at Faribo Manufacturing, where he was Foreman. He then moved to Nutting's in 1975 and began work at Mercury, after Nutting's closing. He retired in 2000, after 35 years of hard factory work.

After already knowing each other for over 20 years, in 1994, LaVonne Erickson and Jerry began dating. For the next 20 years, Jerry would be blessed to have such a loving best friend, companion and long-time fiancée. He loved her more than words could ever express and was grateful for every day they had together.

Jerry enjoyed many things over his lifetime. When he was younger, much of his time was spent working on cars and small engines, along side his brothers, Tom and Wally. He enjoyed fishing and his time on Cedar Lake at LaCanne's Resort. He was an amazing cook (almost as good as his mother), enjoyed taking walks on the railroad tracks behind his house, on Westwood Drive, with his son, "Shane Mike" and always enjoyed spending time with his family. After he retired, Jerry and LaVonne enjoyed many day trips around the area. He was always up for going out to eat, just to see how good the fish was at whatever restaurant they stopped at and of course, 4:30 p.m. suppers on Saturday with LaVonne and Shane and collecting elephants (something his niece, Julie Schroeder, started him on after a trip to visit her in Branson in 1998).

Jerry is survived by his long-time fiancée, LaVonne Erickson, of Faribault; his son, Shane Danielson, of Rochester; sisters, Rita (Ed) Sheimo, of Austin, and Pat (Dick) Wilker, of Rochester; brother, Tom Danielson, of Faribault; special nephew, Tony Danielson, of Faribault; long time friend, Pete LaCanne; the Erickson family; his first wife, Dodie Stuhr; Shelby Dawson, and family, and Christi Dawson, and family (both who he always viewed as daughters); and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by an infant son, two infant daughters, his parents, an infant brother, Mark and his brother and friend, Wally.