Gerald Loe

Gerald Loe, age 95, of Montevideo passed away Sunday, October 13, 2024 at the Clara City Care Center with all his children by his side.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, October 19, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Wang Lutheran Church. Interment will follow in the Wang Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be Saturday, October 19, 2024 from 10:00 – 11:00 AM, one hour prior to the service at the church. 

Gerald Vernon Loe was born on January 14, 1929 to Gertrude Goodhope and placed in the care of Lutheran Social Services in Minneapolis, as he awaited adoption. About 1 ½ years later, he was adopted by Thosten (Tom) and Anna (Carlson) Loe of rural Maynard, MN. The Loe’s had previously adopted another older son, Palmer Julius Loe. Both were fortunate to be adopted by a loving and caring Christian couple. 

Growing up, Gerald attended District 13 in Granite Falls Township for the first 8 school years, and graduated from Granite Falls High School in 1946. He then attended two years at Mankato State Teacher’s College, majoring in Industrial Arts, sang in the college choir and took voice lessons. 

In 1945, at a basketball game, Gerald met Orel Jane Hagen. They were married on June 12, 1949 at Black Oak Lutheran Church near Wegdahl. They lived their first 20 years in Mankato where their 4 children were born. Gerald was a hard worker and did a variety of jobs - from hardware, to electric, to lumber and cabinet building. For 15 years, he operated Loe Insurance Agency. In 1966, he returned to his roots as they moved “back home” to a farm near Maynard. In addition to farming, Gerald drove school bus and worked at Roger’s Hydraulics in Granite Falls. Years later, Gerald worked 27 years for the MN DHIA (Dairy Herd Improvement Assoc.) ending his career as a State Regional Supervisor. After “retirement” he was a volunteer driver for Prairie Five. 

Gerald envisioned and completed many projects, like building a pontoon boat and restoring a trailer into a camper, which then led to converting an old school bus into a larger camper for his family’s enjoyment. He remodeled and made improvements to every home he lived in, including digging a basement using only a pail, shovel and wheelbarrow. 

Gerald always had a story to tell or a joke to share. He also shared his beautiful singing voice whenever possible, whether in a group or as a soloist. For many years, he led the National Anthem at the local threshing show and currently was a proud member of the Building Bridges Choir in Granite Falls. He was also a faithful member of Wang Lutheran Church. 

A life-long member of the MN Valley Antique Farm Power and Machinery Association, Gerald enjoyed driving his restored W-4 Farmall in many area parades. He also was instrumental and passionate about the construction of the church at Heritage Hill. He made many trips to pick up supplies and he worked countless hours working on the project to make this dream a reality. 

Gerald (and Orel Jane) loved to be on the road and made many trips to stay connected to family and friends. They rarely missed an event that their children or grandchildren participated in. 

He is survived by his 4 children: LoAnn Kirchberg (John) of Glencoe; Paul (special friend Mary Beth Buchholz of Marshall) of Maynard; David (Barb) of San Antonio Texas; and Lori Petersen (Alan) of Woodbury. Eleven Grandchildren: Colleen (Molden) & Pat Aaberg of Eden Prairie; Cherlynn (Molden) & Jason DeJong of Willmar; Chris & Jackie Molden of Cameron, WI.; Keith & Tracie Loe of Maynard; Kurt Loe of Belgrade; Kristin (Loe) & Keith Binsfeld of Brainerd; Erin (Loe) and Richard Bohn of Shakopee; Emily Loe and Anna Loe of Fridley; Ross & Erica Petersen of Pella, IA; and Beci (Petersen) & Jeff Eliason of Woodbury. Twenty-two Great Grandchildren: Lily, Sam & Finn Aaberg; Addison, London and Harper Molden; Tyler (Breanna) Loe; Molly & Evan Loe; Cameron, Karlee, & Carter Loe; Wyatt & Tucker Binsfeld; Madeline & Ryan Bohn; Justin & Colton Petersen; and Charlotte, Maxwell & Theodore Eliason. 

He is preceded in death by his wife Orel Jane in 2014, parents Tom & Anna, brother Palmer (Geni) Loe, and Great Grandson Caden Loe, as well as Gertrude Goodhope Hill and four biological siblings.