Gerald Arthur Fenstad

1945 - 2024

Gerald "Gere" Fenstad, beloved husband, father, and grandfather passed away in Anoka, MN on July 15, 2024 at the age of 79 after a year-long battle with small cell carcinoma.

He was born June 24, 1945 in Minneapolis, MN, son of Orval and Vivian Fenstad. He attended Roosevelt High School. He received his Bachelors in Business Administration in St. Cloud, MN and later went on to study Health Care Administration at the University of MN.

Gere was tenacious, honest, loyal, ethical and dedicated in his personal and business dealings. He took pride in cutting through "red tape" and disproving the phrase "it can't be done."

As a Health Care Administrator, he was a pioneer, innovator, and risk taker in the field of Senior Health Care, developing Medicare-certified health care programs, Senior Respite Care services, and six Senior Assisted Living facilities in the Twin Cities area. He was a shrewd investor in properties and a "numbers person" with an entrepreneurial spirit and visionary nature. Gere was able to enjoy many retirement years traveling the world and snow-birding in Florida. He was a 20-year member of the Wayzata Rotary Club and proud of many adventures, accomplishments, and philanthropic activities.

His love of family and friends was beyond reproach. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother, and friend to all who had the pleasure of knowing him. Gere maintained life-long relationships from grade school and beyond, hosting many social gatherings. He had a humorous, child-like nature with charisma and the "gift of gab," quick to strike up conversations with new and old acquaintances. He loved water and snow skiing, always up for a challenge to learn new "fun" skills, whether it be scuba or sky diving. Gere will be dearly missed by all who knew him. His memory will live on in the hearts of those he touched.

He is survived by his spouse of 18 years, Adaline "Addie" (Ternes) Fenstad; son, Anthony (Beth) Fenstad; daughter, Heather Fenstad; grandchildren, Alyssa, Erika, and Gavin Fenstad; brother, Orval, Jr. (Margaret) Fenstad; sister, Cheryl (Jack) Barnes; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins; and beloved feline pets, Ginger and Scooter.

He was preceded in death by his parents; late wife of 36 years, Mary Jo (Dougherty) Fenstad; and sister, Bonnie (Donald) David.

A private graveside inurnment burial will be held at Crystal Lake Cemetery, Minneapolis, MN. Arrangements are entrusted to Mike Lee at David Lee Funeral Home, Wayzata, MN. To share a memory or condolence please visit his obituary at www.davidleefuneralhome.com.

The family plans to hold a celebration of life ceremony at Mississippi Crossings Event Center at a later date in Champlain, MN. For updated details on date and time, please search Gere Fenstad at www.caringbridge.org or www.davidleefuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the charity of your choice or Country Manor Foundation at 520 First Street N.E., Sartell, MN 56377 or at www.countrymanorfoundation.org. Please write Gere Fenstad Memorial in the memo.