Jerri Preston Breeden, 67, of Cook, MN passed away on Wednesday, April 22, 2020 at St. Luke's Hospital.

Jerri was born to Porter and Gena Fay (Henry) Breeden on September 10, 1952 in Ellijay, Georgia. Jerri grew up as a son of an Ironworker, moving to various places with his family as his father's job demanded. At 16 years of age, Jerri graduated from Henderson Kentucky Highschool and at 17, went to work in the steel mills in Indiana. In his early 20's, Jerri started working with his father as a Journeyman Ironworker; his first job was on the construction of the Grand Ole Opry. While still a teen, Jerri joined his father and brothers for a fishing trip to Tibbets's Resort. It was on the fateful trip that he caught a glimpse of his future wife; Susie Doroff. The impression Susie made on young Jerri was lasting, and although they never spoke again after they met, Jerri would be back several years later looking for Susie, the girl of his dreams. Jerri and Susie were married on October 30, 1976 in Orr, Mn. The young couple moved to Indiana where Jerri joined Local 1 Ironworkers of Chicago, where he earned his 35-year pin, retiring in 1989.  Jerri put on his ironworker boots again after 9-11, working until 2010.  During these years, Jerri and Susie purchased their first home in 1983 in Griffith, IN. They raised their three children there before moving to Cook, MN in 1994, where they purchased a hobby farm and a small cabin on lake Vermilion. Jerri continued to stay busy, mowing lawn for the Cook Cemetery and the DNR. Jerri was a proud member of the Local 1 Ironworkers Union, a Freemason member of the Griffith Masonic Lodge and a Shriner.

Jerri was a benevolent man, with unending kindness and generosity, but he could also be stern when he needed to. He was fun, and an instigator, a great provider, good storyteller, great listener, and giver of advice. He was always a family man first and foremost. He did whatever he could to make moments special; he was all in and loved hard. He loved to spoil his wife with gifts that she would never consider buying for herself; his motto when it came to gifts "go big". Jerri made his family's dreams come true, no matter the cost, and he gave his children the best childhood any kid could wish for. Jerri was also a good mentor to his children's friends. The farm table was always full of family, friends, and sometimes all the neighbor kids, but Jerri and Susie loved every minute of it. Jerri would take his children on exciting adventures, stomping though the woods and teaching them to love the outdoors, but also teaching them to go no farther than the sound of their mom's voice or the call of his "hootie hoot". Jerri was the equal half of a great parenting team. He made the most simple and everyday things fun and interesting for his children. Jerri treasured his children and taught them valued life lessons: to be self-sufficient, to think for yourself, embrace change, respect your elders, to be fearless, the importance of helping however they could, to respect the world around you, to leave things better than you found them, and the importance of family and having each other's backs. He also taught them life skills, whether it be fishing or hunting, or teaching his son how to fix a car before he could ride a bike. He also taught his children the tools that would help them be successful in their adult years. He was never judgmental, and let his children choose their path to success. Jerry loved being a dad, but when Jerri and Susie first became grandparents, Jerry wore his grandpa boots with pride; no man smiled brighter or bragged more about his grandchildren. Jerry loved to fish and hunt, especially with his family. He loved being on the farm and watching his grandchildren grow. He treasured the times he went ice fishing with his grandsons and loved to ride 4-wheeler around the farm with his granddaughter.

Jerri was treasured and loved beyond measure. He was the "Best Poppa Ever" who left his family with amazing memories. He was a man who lived by his Freemason values; "a man eager to be a part of something bigger than himself, with reverence for history, compassion in his heart, a desire to serve his fellow man, and a yearning to create a better future"; and for his family, that is exactly what Jerri did. He will be dearly missed, but there will not be a day that they will be without him.

Jerri is survived by his loving wife of 44 years; his children: Heather (Chris) Tinkle; April (Adam) Leinonen; and Calvin Breeden (Theresa Nazzal); grandchildren: Christopher Tinkle, Tyrus Leinonen and Haley Leinonen; brothers: Benson (Charlene) Breeden, Joe Breeden, and John (Carol) Breeden; and several nieces and nephews.

Jerri was preceded in death by his parents: Porter and Gena Fay; sister, Betty Wilson; and a brother-in-law, Louie Wilson.

There will be a Celebration of Life held at a later date, which will be announced. To leave an online condolence visit www.mlakerfuneralhome.com