Gerald William ‘Jerry’ Kirchner, age 83 of Beldenville passed away unexpectedly September 24th, 2021 at his residence. Gerald was born on February 18, 1938 in Trimbelle Township; the son of Ernest and Velma (Johnson) Kirchner. He grew up on the farm attending St. Mary’s Big River and Prescott High School. He worked for Armour & Company Meat Processing in South St. Paul until their closing and then attended WITC in New Richmond where he received the craft of welding. He worked for Twin City Barge until he started Jerry’s Welding and Small Engine Repair in Ellsworth. He quickly became the go-to fix-it guy who could troubleshoot most anything. His favorite part was catching up with the customer who became great friends along the way. On March 2, 1957, he was united in marriage to Ruby Mae Thurber at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Ellsworth. This union would span sixty-five years and was blessed with ten children.
Jerry enjoyed reading as there wasn’t anything you would put in front of him he wouldn’t read. He liked going hunting with the guys near Minong and fishing earlier in life. He took pleasure in catching Hee Haw when he could or the Packer’s Game day. He also looked forward to his occasional trips to the casino. He loved getting great deals at garage sales and if anyone was up to the task, playing a game or two of horseshoes.
Gerald is survived by his wife Ruby; children Greg (Barb) Kirchner, Doug (JoAnn) Kirchner, Pat (Mike McGarvey) Pace, Mike (Steph) Kirchner, Jim (Debra) Kirchner, Tom (Jody) Kirchner, Carolyn Kirchner, Cheryl (Mark) Engnes; twenty-eight grandchildren; twenty-four great grandchildren; siblings Ed (Bev) Kirchner, Carol (Dennis) Pechacek, Dan Kirchner, sister-in-law Judy Kirchner; as well as many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; children Mary Hines, Ron Kirchner; grandson Carson, siblings Ralph (Norma) Kirchner, Dorothy (John) Altoff, Clarence (Delores) Kirchner, Gene (Ellen) Kirchner, and Norm Kirchner.
Mass of Christian Burial for Jerry Kirchner will be 11AM, Tuesday, October 12th at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Ellsworth. Burial will be in the St. Mary’s Big River Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the mass at church Tuesday morning. This service will be live-streamed to: https://youtu.be/TSlalfcrDlY. Please see updates on the funeral homes website. Memorial preferred to the discretion of the family. Cremation and memorial services entrusted to the O’Connell Family Funeral Home of Ellsworth.
