Jerald Vernon "Jerry" Bonstrom

June 19, 1945 – September 27, 2023
Jerald "Jerry" Vernon Bonstrom was born in Buffalo, MN on June 19, 1945, to LaVerne (Behneke) and Vernon Bonstrom. He died on September 27, 2023, in Roseville, MN.
Jerry attended Buffalo schools and as a child learned to play piano and eventually the organ, which became a lifelong passion that upheld the legacy of his musically gifted family. After high school, he enrolled in St. Cloud State University where he received a degree in Vocal Music Education.
Following college graduation, Jerry was drafted into the Army and completed basic training at Fort Campbell, KY. His military occupation specialty was Army Bandsman, Piano. During his two years in the Army, he spent time at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs before returning to Fort Campbell as a member of the 81st Army Band.
After his military service, Jerry put his teaching degree to use and spent the better part of two decades teaching vocal music to Junior and Senior High School students in North St. Paul-Maplewood as well as students in two parochial grade schools.
In 1986, Jerry joined the Hennepin County Library system where he expanded his education in Library Science and held Librarian positions at Brookdale and Minneapolis Central, where he worked until his retirement in December 2020.
Throughout his life, in addition to being a librarian and teacher, Jerry shared his gift of music with various Twin City churches where he served as Choir Director and Organist.
Jerry was a trailblazer in healthy living and exercised daily by walking and swimming. He enjoyed traveling and had a passion for cars.
Jerry is survived by his sister, Jeanne (J. David) Dixon; nieces, Wendy (Doug), Tracy (Bob), Kelly (Giles) and Cami (Neil); great-nephews, Elijah, Benjamin, Rio, and Vahn; and numerous friends and colleagues.
Funeral Services for Jerry will be held on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at 11:00am at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, in Buffalo with visitation beginning at 10:00am.
In lieu of flowers, please send memorials in Jerry's honor to St. John's Lutheran Church Music Ministries.