Gerald "Jerry" Allan Munson

GERALD A. “Jerry” MUNSON July 31, 1936 – July 21, 2020 Gerald A. “Jerry” Munson, age 83 of Park Rapids, MN, formerly of Nevis, MN, peacefully entered the splendor of Heaven on Tuesday morning, July 21, 2020, in the comfort of his own home surrounded by his loved ones. Jerry was born on July 31, 1936 in Frazee, MN to Homer and Helen (Chariton) Munson. Because his dad was a United Methodist Pastor, his family lived in a number of different communities. As a small boy, he moved with his family to Mora. A few years later his family moved to Aitkin, MN where he attended elementary school. They then moved to Savage, MN where he attended grades eight through tenth. Jerry then spent his last two years of high school at the Waseca Ag. School, where he graduated from high school with the Class of 1954. Jerry then went on to attend Bethel College in St. Paul for a couple of years, working his way through by driving City buses. He also served as a member of the MN Army National Guard from 1955 – 1962. On December 4, 1964, Jerry was united in marriage to Janet Gay Plumley, who he had met on a blind date. The young couple made their first home in Minneapolis where he drove City bus and semi-trucks. Later he worked as an insurance inspector for a time. In the late 1960’s, he began a 25-year career working in heavy commercial construction. He specialized in concrete and worked on such big projects as the Winter Olympics at Lake Placid and River Place in Minneapolis. He retired from construction in 1993 and moved with Janet to Nevis, MN. Jerry loved keeping himself busy part-time by working at the Nevis Box Factory for a time. He then began driving Nevis school bus, an endeavor he kept at for 19 years and then continued for another 5 years driving for Park Rapids Public Schools. Jerry loved kids and loved driving so 24 years of school bus driving was something he really enjoyed. In his spare time, Jerry loved tinkering with his cars and fixing his neighbor’s lawnmowers. He also enjoyed delivering meals on wheels. He loved people and enjoyed organizing breakfasts for the retired bus drivers and his neighborhood friends. Jerry was a man of faith and enjoyed keeping active in his church. He was a faithful member of the Hubbard United Methodist Church where he enjoyed the fellowship and worship. Above all, Jerry loved his precious wife, Janet, and loved spending as much time as he could with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Janet; his five children: Barry J. (Christie) Munson of Park Rapids. Valerie K. (Duane) Zierman of Buffalo, MN, Steven H. (Jen) Munson of Annandale, MN, Michael “Scott” Karbo of Kansas City, KS and Laurie K. (Jay) Kruse of Spearfish, SD; 14 dearly loved grandchildren and 19 precious great-grandchildren as well as many nieces, nephews, and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Eugene and his sister, Marlys. Services will be held 1:00 PM Saturday, August 1st at the Hubbard United Methodist Church Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be held 5-8 PM Friday evening, July 31st at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids and will continue one hour prior to the services on Saturday. Please visit www.jonespearson.com to leave online condolences or to view the video tribute.