GERALD FERRIER

Gerald D. Ferrier, 91, passed away at his home near Princeton, MN on Tuesday, August 6, 2024 after battling Alzheimer’s disease for several years.  

Gerald was born on August 2, 1933, to Martin and Alvina (Longwell) Ferrier Sr in Kimball, MN.  He graduated from Braham High School in 1951 and in that same year married his high school sweetheart, Marlys Larson.  The newlyweds moved to Minneapolis where Gerald attended trade school and became an electronic technician.  They welcomed their son, Michael, into the world in 1952 and their daughter, Jerrie Kay, in 1953.  They later moved to Bloomington where they raised their family and Gerald began a new job at Honeywell, where he worked until his retirement at age 57.  In 1973 Gerald & Marlys bought land outside of Princeton where he built (not contracted, actually built) the house he lived in until his death.  

Gerald was a loving caregiver!  He provided full-time in-home care, first to Marlys, his wife of 49 years, and then to his friend Faye, as they battled and ultimately succumbed to their illnesses.  It was after this, while at a local dancing event, that Gerald met Annie.  They would marry on Valentines Day, 2009, and go on to have 15 wonderful years together.  This time, Annie would take over as the loving caregiver and nurse Gerald at home throughout his illness! 

Gerald was well respected by those who knew him.  After some years at Honeywell, Gerald was asked by his superiors to become an engineer even though he had not attended college.  When he had an interest, he read and researched the topic – at one point, he built a computer from scratch based on what he learned!

Gerald enjoyed life!  While working at Jim’s TV & Repair in the early years of his marriage, he entertained his whole family by taking them to the shop to watch “The Wizard of Oz” in color!  When his son added some deer antlers to his motorcycle helmet as a joke, Gerald put on the helmet, hopped on the cycle and rode all around his Bloomington neighborhood smoking his tobacco pipe all the way!  He loved to dance and was quite talented at it – country, line and square dancing alike - so much so that he was a partner in demand and barely sat down during dance nights at the local establishments!  Gerald built many beautiful wood projects in his workshop - bird houses, bird feeders and bucket seats to name a few.  He then would frequently be seen with his brother Donald at the weekly Pine City Flea Market selling his creations!  He enjoyed watching & feeding the birds.  He treasured his beloved pets, especially his dogs.  In fact, Gerald’s granddaughters, Emily and Sarah, identified both their grandfathers by their pet dogs – Gerald was affectionately named Grandpa Brandy!

Gerald was preceded in death by his parents, first wife Marlys, brothers, Martin Jr, Wayne, Donald and Larry, and sisters-in-law Gloria and Donna.  

He is survived by his wife Annie Lindsay; son Michael (Kristin); daughter Jerrie Kay (Dan Meyer); twin sister Carol; brother David; Annie's children, Richard Peterson, Cynthia Erikson and Deborah Peterson; grandchildren Emily (Cody), Sarah, Jesse (Emily), Shane (Shelby), and Emily; 6 great grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.  

Memorials are preferred to an Animal Charity of your Choice or Alzheimer's Research.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, October 12, 2024 at Common Ground: A United Methodist Community in Cambridge.

Memorial Visitation will be held 1 hour prior to the gathering at the church.

Inurnment will be in the Rice Lake Cemetery at a future date.

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