GERALD SUTTON

Gerald "Jerry" Eugene Sutton, of rural Ogilvie, passed away on Saturday, November 29, 2025, at his home at GracePointe Crossing in Cambridge. He was 85 years old.

Jerry was born on June 1, 1940, in South Fork Township, Kanabec County, Minnesota-the eldest child of Paul and Gladys (Smith) Sutton. He grew up on the family farm, attending Ogilvie school for first grade, Hawthorne country school for second through sixth grade, and Ogilvie Public School for seventh through twelfth grade, graduating in 1958. Jerry worked a few odd jobs before enlisting in the Minnesota Army National Guard where he served 6 years before being honorably discharged. He also worked for Fingerhut for a number of years while helping his father on the farm.

On September 21, 1963, Jerry was united in marriage to Lola Gaede and they were blessed with 2 daughters, Marcy and Valerie. After gaining experience during his years farming with his father, Paul, Jerry began farming independently in 1975. He milked 24 Jersey cows, raised beef cattle, and planted and harvested various crops. In 1987, Lola passed away after a battle with leukemia.

Jerry met Diane Frey at Lewis Lake Covenant Church, and on July 1, 1989, they were united in marriage. Jerry and Diane opened their home and hearts to many foster children, and in December of 1998 adopted Kayla and Kory into the family. In the mid 90's, Jerry sold the dairy herd but continued living and working on the farm until December of 2024, when he and Diane moved to GracePointe Crossings Independent Living in Cambridge.

Throughout his life, Jerry enjoyed a wide variety of activities. In his younger years, league bowling and later roller skating were a couple of his favorites. He loved the outdoors, especially deer hunting, snowmobiling, and ice fishing. Farming was his true passion, but he also enjoyed restoring tractors with Kory and brother, Denny, and driving them in the local parades. He was also a member of the Ogilvie Feed Board and was a 4-H leader, and he loved helping his kids with showing animals and other projects over the years. Jerry and Diane enjoyed taking road trips and visited many places, including driving across Route 66.

As a member of the Lewis Lake Covenant Church for 78 years, Jerry taught Sunday school and served in numerous other roles throughout the years. He loved Jesus and his church family.

Jerry found a lot of joy in the everyday moments with friends and family who would stop by to visit, sharing stories and lots of laughter. Jerry will be remembered as a humble farmer, a man of deep faith, a devoted husband and father, a faithful friend, and a kind and helpful neighbor. He will be greatly missed.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Lola, his sister Janice Rice, sister-in-law Dorothy and her husband Percy Terpstra, sister-in-law Virginia "Ginger" Hicks, and brother-in-law Kenneth Gaede.

He is survived by his wife Diane; children, Marcy (Scott) Hoyles, Valerie Sutton, Kayla Sutton, and Kory Sutton; grandchildren, Brittany (Joel), Kate (Paul), Tyler (Katie), William, and Sorcha; great grandchildren, Emmett, Harper, Sydney, Paxton, Raelynn, Kinley, Graysen, and Waylon; siblings, Darleen Sutton, Dennis (Ivy) Sutton, and Michelle (Dan) Suhr; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Kermit (Caroline) Rice, Janice (Rev. George) Davis, Steven (Marie) Frey, and Ruth (Charles) Anholt; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, December 4, 2025, at the Lewis Lake Covenant Church in rural Ogilvie.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 - 6:00 pm on Wednesday, December 3rd at the Hamilton Funeral Homes – Akkerman Chapel in Mora and again 1 hour prior to the service at the church.

Interment will be in the Lewis Lake Memorial Gardens Cemetery.