|
Gerald “Jerry” Paul Borrell, 93, of Brooklyn Park, MN, formerly of Waverly, MN, and Delano, MN, peacefully passed away while surrounded by his family Friday, April 28, 2023, in Brooklyn Park.
Gerald was born June 8, 1929, to Joseph and Emily (Coyea) Borrell.
He was raised on the family farm south of Waverly with his five siblings. While growing up on the family farm, he worked along side his father, siblings, uncle Fritz, and his grandfather George.
He graduated from St. Mary’s Catholic High School in Waverly in 1948. Then, he enlisted in the Army in January 1949. He served active duty until 1950, and then remained in the Army Reserves until September 1954.
He was united in marriage, to Therese Ditty of Delano July 9, 1955, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Delano. They made their first home in west St. Paul, where Gerald was a monument salesperson and began their family.
After a few years, they moved to Delano and continued adding to their family, raising six children, and he began working as a plumber for Ditty Plumbing and Heating in Delano. He also spent time working for Hennepin County as a deputy sheriff, and he was a member of the Delano Fire Department.
After moving to the City of Independence, he worked part-time as a police officer while remaining a full-time plumber. He eventually took a position as the supervisor of facility management for the Delano School District in 1975, retiring after 20 years in 1995.
After retirement, Gerald and Therese built a new home on the north shore of Waverly Lake in 1998. At the lake, Gerald enjoyed water skiing, hosting family events, pontoon rides, bonfires, gardening, and time spent with his grandchildren.
In 2014, they returned to Delano and enjoyed townhome living for a few years until a final move to senior living at St. Therese Oxbow Lake in Brooklyn Park.
Gerald was preceded in death by Therese, his wife of 66 years; his parents; daughter, Nanette Blanchette; son, Dennis Borrell; brothers, Donald, Marion, Danny, and sister, Lou Jandro; brothers-in-law, John Jandro, Rich, Paul, and Tom Ditty, Dick Hemberger, and Jim Stevens; and sisters-in-law, Donna Ditty, Marcella Borrell, Marie Borrell, Sherry Borrell, and Mary Jane Borrell.
He is survived by his loving daughters, Jenine Johnson, Julie (Tony) Van Beusekom, and Paula (Stuart) Pysick; son, George (Mary) Borrell; sons-in-law, Tom (Angie) Blanchette and David Larson; 15 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren; brother, Clayton (Geraldine) Borrell; and in-laws, Mary Grengs, Carol Hemberger, Nancy Stevens, Catherine (George) Kraemer, Ardella Ditty, and Barb Ditty.
A memorial Mass will take place Wednesday, May 10, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Waverly. Inurnment will be at a later date in the church cemetery. The Mass will be live-streamed.
Arrangements are by the Iten Funeral Home in Delano.
|
|
