Gerald "Jerry" D. Walden

Gerald "Jerry" Walden, 73, of Angora Township, Minnesota passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, May 24, 2017.
Jerry was born in Virginia, MN on September 17, 1943, the younger of two sons born to Neil and Grace Walden.

He was raised in Virginia, and joined the U.S. Air Force following High School graduation. He proudly served his country for 4 years as a Weapons Loader serving at Ellsworth AFB S.D., Guam and Vietnam. After being honorably discharged from the Air Force on May 23, 1969, he moved back to Minnesota and started a career as an electrician, retiring from Mintac in 1998. Jerry was a member of the Mt. Iron American Legion Post #220.

Jerry was married to Betty Merwin for ten years and  they had three children, Jeff, Stacy and Lisa. On September 18, 1996 he married Nancy Holter, whom he loved deeply.  They spent their retirement time between their home in Angora and the cabin on Lake Vermilion.

Jerry was a devout outdoors man, and loved to hunt and fish. His fishing passion was trolling and ice fishing for lake trout and walleye in Minnesota and Canada. He was known for his deer hunting skills with a place at deer camp affectingly referred to as "Jerry's Rock". He also made trips to Alaska hunting Caribou and fishing for salmon and halibut with his son.

Jerry was a fair, honest and hardworking man. He enjoyed telling stories of his youth growing up in Minnesota and time spent with family and friends. These are now cherished memories. He was proud to be a Minnesotan and also proud to be a "Finlander". He will be missed by his family and friends.

Jerry is preceded in death by his wife Nancy on December 11, 2011; his parents Neil and Grace Walden; and a brother, Rolly Walden.

He is survived by his three children, Jeff Walden of Wasilla, Alaska, Stacy Walden of Aberdeen, South Dakota and Lisa Pekny of San Diego, California;. 8 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren.

SERVICES : A memorial service will be held 1:00 PM on, Thursday, June 1, 2017 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Alango. A gathering of family and friends will be held one hour prior to the services at the church. Rev. Liz Cheney will be the officiant. Military honors will be accorded by the  Cook VFW Post 1757 and the Orr American Legion Post #480.  Arrangements are with the Mlaker Funeral Home in Cook.