Gerald Jurva

MEMORIAL SERVICES : 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, April 13, 2013 at Assumption of Our Lady Catholic Church in Menahga, MN with Father Arlie Sowada officiating.VISITATION : One hour prior to the service on Saturday at the church.INTERMENT : Menahga City Cemetery, Menahga, MNSURVIVORS : His children: Gerry Ann Jurva of Graham, WA, Peggy Ann & Pete Boyd of Spanaway, WA, Lori Ann & Tim Ryan of Whiting, IA, Robert John & Cindy Jurva of Fargo, ND, Sue Ann & Richard Poirier of Lake Tapps, WA, Eric Jerald Jurva of Virginia, MN and Kevin Jurva of Minneapolis, MN; 14 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; two sisters: Sharon & Tom McNurlin of Redwing, MN and Darlene & Francis Stone of Hillman, MN; two brothers: Tom & Toni Jurva of Wyoming, MN and Terry & Shelia Jurva of Coon Rapids, MN; a brother-in-law, Don Hauck of Anoka, MN; 2 sisters-in-law:, Gloria Jurva of Menahga, MN and Stormy Jurva of Anoka, MN. Gerald John "Jerry" Jurva "The Flying Finn"March 2, 1936 ~ April 5, 2013 Gerald John "Jerry" Jurva, 77, of Whiting, IA, formerly of Maple Grove and Menahga, MN passed away Friday, April 5, 2013 at Pleasant View Care Center in Whiting, IA. Gerald John "Jerry" was born on March 2, 1936 at Menahga, MN, the son of John Elmer and Gladys Hulda (Martin) Jurva. He was raised in Minnesota and attended school in Menahga through the 8th grade. Jerry was united in marriage to Shirley Ann (Lilja) and to this union five children were born. He was united in marriage to Lucille (Lakosky) and to this union one child was born and one adopted; and then united to Shirley Ann (Wojcik). Prior to adulthood, Jerry worked with his father, who sold cars, in Menahga, MN. During that same time he worked at an airport and was taught to fly and care for airplanes, which began a desire to own his own airplane. Jerry was a car salesman and manager for many years at new car dealerships in the Minneapolis area prior to opening Jurva Motors in Anoka, MN in 1975; which he operated for over 20 years. Jerry"s true love was flying, up until his retirement he owned various planes; his favorite was a 1948 Bonanza. In addition, Jerry had a great time performing with a local band. Later in life, he learned to golf and enjoyed golfing during the summer in Big Lake, MN and the winters, in Florida. Jerry moved to his daughter, Lori Ann"s, residence in Whiting, IA in 2009, then to Bickford Assisted Living & Memory Care in Sioux City before becoming a resident of Pleasant View Care Center in Whiting in 2012. Jerry is survived by his children: Gerry Ann Jurva of Graham, WA, Peggy Ann & Pete Boyd of Spanaway, WA, Lori Ann & Tim Ryan of Whiting, IA, Robert John & Cindy Jurva of Fargo, ND, Sue Ann & Richard Poirier of Lake Tapps, WA, Eric Jerald Jurva of Virginia, MN and Kevin Jurva of Minneapolis, MN; 14 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; two sisters: Sharon & Tom McNurlin of Redwing, MN and Darlene & Francis Stone of Hillman, MN; two brothers: Tom & Toni Jurva of Wyoming, MN and Terry & Shelia Jurva of Coon Rapids, MN; a brother-in-law, Don Hauck of Anoka, MN; 2 sisters-in-law:, Gloria Jurva of Menahga, MN and Stormy Jurva of Anoka, MN; numerous other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Shirley (Wojcik) Jurva; one grandson, Nicholas Jurva; two brothers: James Jurva and Edsel Jurva and a sister, Geraldine "Dutee" Hauck Memorial services will be held April 13, 2013 at Assumption of Our Lady Catholic Church in Menahga, MN with Father Arlie Sowada officiating. Honorary pall bearers will be: Tom Jurva, Terry Jurva, Francis Stone, Donny Hauck, Tom McNurlin, Robert Jurva, Eric Jurva and Kevin Jurva. Interment will be held at the Menahga City Cemetery in Menahga.