Jerry Ford

Jerry Richard Ford, age 87, passed away Monday, February 9, 2026, at Northern Pines nursing home under hospice care. Jerry was born on August 16, 1938, in Pine City MN to parents Dow and Thelma Ford. He grew up in west Duluth and graduated in 1956 from Denfeld High School. Following high school, he proudly served his country in the Duluth Air National Guard.

On July 8, 1961, he married Sally Harnell at Bethlehem Lutheran church in Twig, Minnesota. Together for 70 years and married for 64 years, Jerry and Sally made their home on the Iron Range, in Hoyt Lakes, where they raised their three children and often entertained and spoiled their six grandchildren.

Jerry successfully completed the automotive apprentice program at Erie Mining Company in Hoyt Lakes in 1975 and worked for more than 30 years at Erie (aka LTV Steel) as a Diesel Mechanic working on 240-ton, iron ore hauling trucks that were sometimes more than 21 feet tall. Over the years, Jerry enjoyed snowmobiling, motorcycling, fishing, camping and traveling to Yuma, Arizona, where he and his wife Sally were snowbirds for 33 winters. He especially loved and enjoyed spending quality time and making memories with his children and grandchildren. Many summers were spent boating and/or fishing on Minnesota lakes, pulling kids on a tube or water skis followed by sunsets and evenings listening to music, telling funny stories and making popcorn and “Tonka Pies” around the campfire at Fisherman’s Point, Upper Red Lake, Kabetogama and at their lake home in Akeley, MN. Grandpa Jerry would spend hours playing games, reading books, playfully teasing and always spoiling each of his grandchildren as they grew up. Ice Cream cones and belly laughs were always on the agenda when Grandpa was in charge.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; sister Mina, brother Lynn; brothers-in-law Charles and Raymond Harnell; sister-in-law Donna Stebner; nephew Brian Harnell and niece Terri Harnell.

Jerry is survived by his loving wife Sally and children: Michael Ford of Akeley, MN, Marie Ford Yapel of Hoyt Lakes, Darlene (Kevin) Dunbar of Cotton, MN; Grandchildren: Heidi (Sam) Williams of Los Gatos, CA, Malory (Duncan) Frankovich of Duluth, Hannah (Will) McLaughlin of Cloquet, Hayden Dunbar of Duluth, Sam Yapel of St. Paul and Lilly Dunbar (fiancé’ Jake Kallberg); and great grandson, Wade Kallberg of Duluth; Brother, Tad (Marlene) Ford of Duluth and sister Elaine Ankarlo of Superior, WI; and many nieces nephews and friends.

Please join us for Celebration of Life services at 12 noon, Saturday, March 7, 2026, at Faith Lutheran Church in Hoyt Lakes. Friends and family may gather one hour prior to the service at the church. A luncheon will be served immediately following memorial service.