Gerald "Jerry" Dean Piehl

Gerald "Jerry" Dean Piehl, age 92 of Hutchinson, passed away February 22, 2021.

He was born on April 10, 1928 to Erbin and Marie (Sell) Piehl in Stewart, Minnesota, where he spent his childhood and early adult life. After high school, he moved to Silver Lake where he worked various jobs until he enlisted into the military.

He was inducted into the United States Army on December 8, 1950 and proudly served during the Korean Conflict. He was transferred to the Army Reserves on September 11, 1952 and then was honorably discharged from his military duties on September 19, 1956. He was a faithful member of the Silver Lake American Legion Post 141 and had a DAV membership. Jerry continued to volunteer, stay active, and collect clothing to donate to the DAV programs up until his recent illness.

On February 1, 1955, he was joined in marriage to Bernice Bandas, and together they happily raised their two sons in Silver Lake. Jerry and Bernice worked hard with their chores on their dairy and crop farm for over 35 years. Jerry was an avid fisherman his whole life and spent 20 years living on Big Swan Lake catching as many fish as he could in his early years. Hunting pheasants and other small game to provide food for the family was also another skill he was very talented at doing. In his retirement, he was able to enjoy spending 25 winters in warm, sunny Texas with Bernice, get out more often to fish on the lakes, and travel to various parts of the country.

Jerry is preceded in death by his son, Alan; parents, Erbin and Marie Piehl; and a brother, Ralph Piehl.

He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Bernice; son, Dean (Ardyce); grandchildren, Drew Piehl and Emily (Ed) Portillo; great-grandchild, Milo Portillo; sister, Myra Bushard; and other relatives and friends.

Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, February 26, 2021 at 1:00 PM at Holy Family Catholic Church in Silver Lake, MN. Military honors will follow outside of church after the funeral Mass.

Interment is planned for a later date at the Minnesota State Veteran's Cemetery in Little Falls, MN.
 
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Maresh Funeral Home in Silver Lake. Online condolences may be directed to www.mareshfuneralhome.com