Gerald Anthony “Gerry” Hoel, age 90, died peacefully on Friday, June 15, 2018 at Woodland Hill in Hudson, Wisconsin. Gerry was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on June 25, 1927, the fourth of six children born to Odin and Josephine Hoel. The family lived in Madelia, Minnesota, where he attended school until his family moved to Hudson in 1943. Gerry attended Hudson High School and was a member of the graduating class of 1945. In March of 1945 he enlisted in the United States Navy and served as a naval hospital corpsman until 1948. He continued his service in the Wisconsin Army National Guard until 1959. 

In June 1950, he was united in marriage to Yvonne Stewart at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Hudson. This union was blessed with three daughters, Terilynn, Trudee and Tracee. 

He graduated from the University of Wisconsin, earning a business administration degree in June 1952. He later went on to obtain an advanced degree in Business Management. 

Gerry was a retired executive of Andersen Windows, where he worked for more than 40 years. He began his career during the summer of 1948 while attending college and became a permanent employee in 1952. Gerry started as a mail carrier and then worked in the personnel department. He later worked as Production Manager and eventually became Vice President of Manufacturing. He was elected to the Board of Directors and the Executive committee of the Andersen Foundation. Gerry was proud of his tenure at Andersen Corporation and spoke fondly of his many “working partners” who influenced his life and career. 

He was a charter member of the Hudson Golf Course, a past Exalted Ruler of the Hudson BPOE, District Chairman for the Indianhead LaCroix chapter of The Boys Scouts of America and a member of the Bayport American Legion. Gerry served on different committees at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Hudson and most recently was a board member of the Hudson Senior Center. He was also a partner in St. Croix Valley Thoroughbreds in Stillwater, MN. 

Gerry was a devoted husband and loving father, grandfather and great- grandfather. In his retirement, he spent time fishing in Florida, golfing with friends and traveling with his beloved wife Vonnie. 

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 53 years, Vonnie; parents, Odin and Josephine; sisters Jane, Marion and Pat and brother George. 

He will remain in the hearts of his: children: Terilynn J. (Michael) Hutton of Hudson, Trudee J. (Steven) Groves of Stillwater, Tracee J. Hoel of Hudson; grandchildren: Emily (Chris) Lownsbury, Jesse Barr, Matt (Ember) Hutton, Jill (Mickey) Hotujec, Kacie (Kevin) Graving, Kellen (Stephanie) Groves, great-grandchildren: Ethan, Maryn, Peyton, Kaden, Boden, Elleny, Everett, Adler, Kenzie and Korbin; brother: Dewitt Hoel of Clio, MI; sister-in-law: Donna M. Stewart of Hudson; along with many nieces, and nephews. 

Gerry found peace in knowing how blessed his life was with personal success, a loving family that he considered his greatest “wealth”, many friends, opportunities and good health. He was a humble man and didn’t like attention. Gerry had a smile that could “light up the room “ and never missed the chance for a witty “come back” when appropriate. He loved sunshine and a “cold and free” glass of beer. 

A Gathering of Family and Friends will be held from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 8, 2018 at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home, 520 S. 11th St., Hudson, WI. A Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 a.m., with a visitation one hour prior, on Monday, July 9, 2018 at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, 14107 S. Hudson Rd., Afton, MN. Private interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

Memorials preferred to the Gerald Hoel Fund of the Hudson Community Foundation an affiliate of the St. Croix Valley Foundation.