1943
Jerome "Jerry"
2018
Jerome "Jerry" Harms
September 6, 1943 — June 17, 2018
Born to Gilbert & Elvera Harms on September 6, 1943 in Norwood, MN. Jerry is survived by his wife, Kristie Harms of Erhard; a sister, Joyce (Rollie) Bertness/Schmidt of Appleton; 3 daughters: Julie (Brian) Norstedt of New Prague, Kelly (Mark) Cichosz of Prior Lake, and Karie Graika of Fairbanks, AK; 7 grandchildren: Allie & Emma Norstedt, Bekah, Matt, Josh & Jake Nelson, and Myka Graika; 3 step-grandchildren: Zach Nelson, Jack & Julia Cichosz; a sister-in-law, Marva Harms; his first wife, Pat (McKim) Koehnen; and his beloved golden retriever Cody.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Gilbert and Elvera (Harms) Behlen; his two brothers, Paul and Thomas; his 2 beloved golden retrievers, Joe and Max; and his infant niece, Tammy Jo Bertness.
Jerry spent most of his childhood in Appleton, MN and graduated from Appleton High School in 1961. He then attended business college in Fargo, ND for one year. He was married to his first wife Pat in 1964 and they had two daughters, Julie and Kelly. In 1973 he left Minnesota and headed to Fairbanks, AK where he worked briefly as a bartender and cooks helper before joining the Alaska Laborers Union. While working out of the union, he worked on many construction sites as well as several pipeline pump stations.
In 1979 he met his soulmate and best friend and on Valentine’s Day in 1982 he married Kristie “Kipper” Miller at the Santa Claus House in North Pole, AK on a “balmy” 57 below zero afternoon. For the next 10 years he worked various union and nonunion jobs around the state as well as managing a wilderness lodge at Summit Lake. In 1992 they started a small environmental supply company in the basement of their home. For the next 17 years they built the business (Spill Shield International Corp.) up into a respectable name in the industry. During this time, they built a home together in Willow, AK on Willow Creek and spent most of their spare time rainbow and salmon fishing. In January 2010 they sold the business and their home on the creek, retired, and decided it was time to come back to Minnesota to enjoy some walleye and panfish fishing. Those were the 2 things Jerry missed the most while living in Alaska.
They purchased a 17 acre homestead on Long Lake in the Erhard, MN area and he enjoyed his retirement along with his wife and two golden retrievers Max and Cody.
Jerry was known for his sense of humor and his love of fishing. He loved telling stories about his adventures during his journey through life. Throughout his life he lived true to his motto of doing it his own way. He lived a fulfilling life and had no regrets when God called him home. He will be missed by many, but mostly his loving wife and beloved golden retriever Cody.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Jerome "Jerry" Harms, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Thursday, June 28, 2018
12:30 - 2:00 pm (Central time)
Zniewski Funeral Home -Vaala Chapel
Memorial Service
Thursday, June 28, 2018
Starts at 2:00 pm (Central time)
Zniewski Funeral Home -Vaala Chapel
Guestbook
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