Jerry Elmer Theobald was born March 3, 1944, the son of Elmer and Grace (King) Theobald in Fairmont, MN. He grew up on his father’s farms south and east of Fairmont. Jerry attended Fairmont Schools. As a boy, he enjoyed raising cattle, hogs, and driving all the farm tractors and trucks. He was involved in the FFA and was a farm boy at heart his entire life. As a teen, Jerry worked for Gunther’s Food Store. He left the farm in the early 60’s and joined the Marine Corp from 1961-1965. He was a rifle range coach and was part of the Military Police. Jerry traveled to many countries overseas while in the military and he was extremely proud to be a Vietnam era veteran.

After the military, Jerry returned to Fairmont and worked for Polyfilm and married his first wife, Mary Jo Pietsch. From that marriage his first son, Frederick Elmer was born. During this time, Jerry ran the Family Cue, renaming it Jerry’s Harbor, from 1968-1971. He then pursued a job at Railway Motors and was hired. Jerry was then united in marriage to his second wife, Lynn Skalicky. Their first child together, a daughter, Trina Nicole was born. Seven years from that day, they welcome their second child, Keith John. On June 2, 1977, Jerry accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior. He studied the Bible and read it cover to cover at least seven times. He enjoyed God’s work and being a witness for Christ. He was a dedicated worker at Railway Motors for 20 years and then worked for Greenlee Textron for 13 years before being forced into early retirement. He enjoyed memories of racing his Pontiac GTO “Judge” at the quarter mile and riding his chopped Harley Davidson with friends.

During his retirement years, Jerry enjoyed working outside in his yard, planting flowers and watching them grow, and he also liked the natural prairie. He kept yearly scrapbooks and took many pictures of Fairmont. Jerry also liked attending farm toy and car shows, loved all kinds of music and enjoyed making his grandchildren laugh. He found great joy in checking out area garage sales and had fun with his “wagon business”. Jerry always flew his American flag with great pride for his country and considered his home, his “American Dream.” One core belief he held throughout his life was that he “never felt good since he left the farm.”

Left to cherish his memory are his children, Frederick E. Theobald and Dee Sweet of Lawton, OK, Trina N. Hilgendorf and her husband, Jeff of Fox Lake Township, MN, and Keith J. Theobald and his wife, Amanda of Jackson, MN; grandchildren, Andrea N. Theobald, Jessie C. Theobald, Nick J. Hilgendorf and his wife, Cammy, and Saige M. Theobald; sister, Diane Olson and her husband, Butch of Fairmont, MN; special friend, Marie Stoeckmann; as well as several nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Grace Theobald; sister, Nancy Tonne; and brother, Michael Theobald.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Martin County Veterans Memorial Project.

www.lakeviewfuneralhome.net

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