Jerry Lang

Jerry Lang, age 65 of Truman passed away peacefully at home with his loving family by his side, Friday September 8, 2023 after a brief, courageous battle with cancer.

A Mass of Christian burial will be at 11:30AM Friday September 15 at St. John's Vianny Catholic Church in Fairmont with Fr. Jeff Dobbs officiating. Visitation will be Thursday September 14 from 5-7PM at Zaharia Funeral Home in Truman and continue one hour before the service at the church. Burial will be at Fairview Cemetery in Fairmont at a later date.

Gerald Kevin Lang was born on December 4, 1957, in Mankato, Minnesota, to Sylvester and Mildred “Millie” (Spidahl) Lang. He attended Truman Public School, where he graduated with the class of 1977. After graduation, he worked in the bakery with his uncle Elroy in St. Charles, Minnesota. In 1979, he married Ellen Schultz, and together they had a daughter, Heather. Together, they opened the Truman Hometown Bakery in 1988, where he took great pride in decorating cakes and delivering fresh baked goods around the area.

On September 5th, 1992, Jerry was united in marriage to his One True Friend, Amy Holz, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. They began their life together, living in Fairmont, Minnesota. After welcoming their daughter, Courtney, they made their home in Truman for the last 29 years.

From a young age, he was defined by his love for music and lead guitar skills. It should come as no surprise that he never learned how to play by looking at sheet music but simply “playing by ear.” Over the years, he was a member of several bands and was inducted into the Mid-American Music Hall of Fame in 2012 with the Joe Schultz Band. 

Over the years, he worked many jobs, including Nasby’s and Redi Haul Trailers. After retiring in 2022, he worked part-time as a car detailer at Elizabeth Chevrolet. Jerry enjoyed the weekends camping at Hickory Hills, hunting in the fall, and during the warmer months, you would often find him working in the yard, ensuring nothing was out of place. During the winter months you could find Jerry in his mancave picking on his guitar. His greatest pride was spending time with his wife, Amy, daughters Heather and Courtney, and his six rambunctious grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Amy, and their beloved dog, Bear; daughters, Heather (David) Reeves of Blue Earth, Courtney Lang of Welcome; grandchildren, Blaine Grack, Devin Reeves, Cody Reeves, Jordan Reeves, Graceson Reeves, and Harmony Reeves; siblings Al (Pat) Lang, Claudia Schaaf, Cheryl Culbertson (special friend, Stan Fieseler), Jim (Ruth) Lang, Steve (Tracie) Lang, and Michelle (Eron) Andrews; Mike (Melody) Lang; sister-in-law, Marianne Lang, and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; Mother-in-law, Patsy Holz; Father-in-Law, Lawrence Holz; brother Danny Lang; brothers-in-law, Ricky Holz and Howie Culbertson; nephews, Geoffrey Schaaf and Travis Lang; infant twin nieces and an infant great nephew.