Gerald Duane "Jerry" Bodas

1941 - 2024

Gerald Duane "Jerry" Bodas, 82, of Palo, died Friday, June 21, 2024, in his home, of natural causes. He was born Nov. 6, 1941, in Virginia, the son of Arthur and Turna (Harju) Bodas, was a 1959 graduate of Gilber High School, and graduated from Dunwoody Institute.

Jerry married Rita Paulette Hermanson on Sep. 29, 1962, in Biwabik. They made their home in Duluth, Minnesota, and Fairbanks, Alaska, prior to returning to Minnesota in 1977. Jerry was employed by Golden Valley Electric Association as a lineman and later was a cable splicer for the municipal telephone company. He was a member of the IBEW Local 1547, the Goldstream Valley Lion's Club, and served in U.S. Army National Guard for six years. Jerry had a lifetime passion for curling, was an avid tinkerer, played the guitar, enjoyed hunting, fishing and golf, and was an animal lover.

Gerald is survived by his wife, Rita; daughters, Rebecca (Dale) Ekmark of Angora and Rachel Bodas of Virginia; granddaughters, Morgan (Ethan) Powell of Chamberlain, South Dakota, and Devan Ekmark of Minnetonka; great-grandson, Blake, and "one on the way"; siblings, Jackie (Pat) Bodas of Idaho, Connie Bodas of Minnesota, and Sandy (John) Wells of Hoyt Lakes; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Clarence Bodas, James Bodas and Irene Ishmael.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26, 2024, at Peace United Methodist Church in Virginia. Pastor Rob Kopp will officiate. A gathering time for family and friends will begin one hour prior to the service at the church.

Family services provided by Bauman-Cron, A Bauman Family Funeral Home in Virginia. To share condolences online, please visit www.baumanfuneralhome.com.