Gerald Warren Collier

Gerald Warren Collier obituary, Cottage Grove, MN

Gerald Warren Collier

Gerald Collier Obituary

Visit the Kok Funeral Home & Cremation Service - Cottage Grove website to view the full obituary.

Gerald "Jerry" Collier, age 95 of Lahaina, Hawaii passed away on February 15, 2026 in St. Cloud, Minnesota.

Gerald Warren Collier was born on June 20, 1930 to Walter and Gladys (Aasen) Collier. He grew up in Minneapolis eventually graduating from Marshall High School in 1948. As a young man, he served in the Navy Reserve before working on the railroad. The majority of his career was as a long haul truck driver, traveling across the United States for 30+ years. He later went on to serve as a Contract Negotiator for the Teamsters Union, an elected office. Jerry was a diehard Union guy who loved sharing many interesting stories from the days of meeting Hoffa that always ended with his "signature gut laugh". He later owned & operated his Yellow Cab service and enjoyed many years as a school bus driver. In 2012 he and Barbara made their home in Lahaina, Hawaii staying there for nearly 14 years until just recently moving back to Minnesota.

Jerry will be remembered for his storytelling, infectious laugh, instilling the value of frequent oil changes and being a thoughtful gift giver. Through the years he enjoyed fishing, boating and more. The daily news was a huge part of his routine. Jerry loved living in Hawaii, he especially enjoyed taking long walks to the farmer's market and feeding the birds on the beach. The past few years he had endured many health struggles but had always remained positive with a calm, kind spirit.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 43 years Barbara "Barb"; stepson Ehren (Sharon) Ford; children Pat Peterson, Mike Collier, Marty Collier and Rachel Collier; 10 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren; 10 great great grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews.

Jerry is preceded in death by his daughter Pamela Collier; son Kelly Collier; daughter-in-law Rebecca "Becky" Collier; siblings Conrad (Mary Ann) Emerson and Dorothy (Haakon) Jarness.

Thank you to Dr. Mcfarling, Dr. Lim and the Staff of Saint Cloud Hospital for their outstanding Care, Compassion and Kindness to Jerry and the family.

A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Jerry's 96th Birthday, June 20th, 2026 - time and location to follow soon.

Kok Funeral Home & Cremation Service - Cottage Grove

7676 80th Street South, Cottage Grove, MN 55016

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