Jerold “Jerry” L. Willford, 74, of Spring Valley, Minn., died Monday, May 27, 2019, at St. Marys Hospital. Jerry was born May 22, 1945, in Preston, Minn., to Merlin C. and Arlone (Hanson) Willford.
He grew up in Harmony, Minn., and graduated from Harmony High School in 1963. On March 31, 1967, he married Nancy L. Drinkall at First Lutheran Church in Highland, Minn. The couple lived in Rochester until 1980, when they moved to Spring Valley, Minn. He attended vocational school and obtained his boiler’s license. Jerry worked at Crenlo, Inc. for 45 years, retiring in 2012.
Jerry served on his church council and as a Boy Scout and 4-H leader. After retirement he did some volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity. When he was younger, he enjoyed working on cars and camping. He always enjoyed watching stock car races, baseball and going fishing with his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed spending time with his wife taking long drives in the country over the last few years. His true blessings were his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and the time he spent with them.
Survivors include his wife, a son, Tom of Spring Valley, Minn., and a daughter, Tanya of Spring Valley, Minn. Two grandchildren, Zachary of Preston and Emily (Zach Froemming) Willford of Canton; two great-grandchildren, Trinity Froemming and Everlee Froemming; daughter-in-law Rhonda Willford and step mother Gloria Martin-Willford, sister Judy Lehmkuhl of Rochester, brothers Jim (Vickie) of Deer River, Minn., and Jon (Barb) of Lanesboro, Minn., and several nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his son Terry and his parents.
A memorial service will be held for Jerry on Friday, May 31, 2019, at 1 p.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. Visitation will be held at Hindt Funeral Home in Spring Valley on Thursday, May 30, 2019, from 5-7 p.m. and will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. It was Jerry’s wish to have his body donated to the Mayo Clinic so it could be utilized in the advancement of medical education and research.
Condolences may be left at www.Hindtfuneralhomes.com.