Donald Harry Gerner

Don Gerner passed away Monday, September 8, 2025 at his home in Timber Pines at the age of 87, with his family by his side.

Donald Harry Gerner was born November 13, 1937 to Emil and Louisa (Freund) Gerner in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

Don married Rosemary Lefeber on July 23, 1955. Don and Rose had 8 children. They lived in Fond du Lac and Glidden, Wisconsin before moving to Rush City, Minnesota where Don started working for Dennis Frandsen. He worked for Denny for many years before starting his own construction company. In 1993, Don started working for Miller Architecture and Construction in St. Cloud as a project manager and construction superintendent. His main projects were building and remodeling funeral homes across the United States. He managed and supervised the remodeling and addition at the Swanson Funeral Chapel in Pine City. Don retired from Miller in 2003.

Don loved hunting, fishing, watching horse races, playing Blackjack and the machines at the casino, playing cribbage and other card games. Don loved playing bingo at the casino. He was in his early 80's and still driving to Green Bay just to play bingo with his nieces and nephews. He was one of the first drivers in the first Pine City and Rush City demolition derbies. The Green Bay Packers were his favorite football team. Don had a knack for finding deals on anything he could resell. His favorite was real estate. He also was buying storage units long before it became a fad and featured on television.

Don lived at Timber Pines in Pine City from September 16, 2023 until his passing. He loved visiting with everyone there. He enjoyed all the activities and especially loved playing bingo and cards. He enjoyed visiting with the “coffee clutch” in the morning and Friday Happy Hour. Don always carried lifesavers with him and handed them out to everyone.

Don is survived by his children Debbie (Bob) Neubauer of Gordon, Wisconsin, John (Michelle) Gerner, Mike Gerner all of Pine City, Kathy Ansley of Georgia, Laurie (Tim) Graham, Cory Gerner all of Pine City; 19 grandchildren; 23 great grandchildren; 1 great great grandchild; many nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Emil and Louisa Gerner; wife Rosemary Gerner; daughter Diane Clementson; son William Gerner; granddaughter Rachael Gerner; grandson Jeremy Cochran; great grandson Zachary Gerner; 6 brothers and 2 sisters.

Special Thank You to all the staff at Timber Pines and St. Croix Hospice for the special care you gave Don. We appreciate everything you did!

Father Thomas Galarneault will celebrate a Funeral Mass for Don: 11:00 AM; Thursday (9/18) with a time of visitation for friends and family one-hour prior to Mass all at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Don will be interred at Calvary Catholic Cemetery all in Pine City.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the: Funeral and Cremation Service of Pine City ~ Swanson Chapel

FuneralAndCremationService.com