Gerald "Jerry" Gay

Gerald “Jerry” Gay, the son of Lawrence and Pauline (Reynolds) Gay, was born on June 10, 1940, at Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, MN.  Jerry graduated from Anoka High School in 1958 and then enlisted into the United States Navy. After the Navy, Jerry attended Brown Institute where he became an electrical lineman for Commonwealth Edison for 16 years in the greater Chicago area.  Jerry met and was united in marriage to Diane Gallagher in September of 1967, out of this union, five children were born.  

In 1976, Jerry and his family left Chicago and began farming near Nelson, MN. This was just the beginning of Jerry’s entrepreneurism in the Nelson area.  He owned and operated multiple farms and he was a realtor/broker, owning Jerry Gay Realty and many commercial and residential rental properties.  He also owned numerous food and beverage establishments including, The Corral, Club 29 and Sidewalks Bar.   Jerry refurbished homes with his buddies. He was also the Gambling Manager for the Nelson Community Association, and he was the Mayor of Nelson since 2002.  

Jerry worked very hard throughout his life, but he also played hard as well.  He liked golfing, fishing, watching Westerns, and making an occasional trip to the casino.  He loved to play cards.  He started Whist tournaments on a weekly basis at the Corral in Nelson; he also played in Whist tournaments all around the country, and he loved to play cards with his children, and grandchildren.  Jerry was an avid Minnesota sports fan, especially Gopher football, Vikings and the Twins.  He even attended football games in every Big 10 stadium, twice.  

Generous, quick witted, genuine, tough as nails, and an occasional sharp tongue are a few words that described Jerry.  He loved his family dearly and was extremely proud of his children and grandchildren.  He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Gerald “Jerry” Gay, died on Saturday, December 10, 2022, at Knute Nelson in Alexandria at the age of 82 years old.  He is survived by his children, Jamie (Fred) Schlafke of Annandale, Gerard (Kaija) Gay of Nelson, Julie (Jeff Windschitl) Gay of St. Cloud, Jennifer (Joe) Foline of Minneapolis, and Sean (Jana) Gay of Nelson; 12 grandchildren, Elizabeth (Jarod) Wilken, Madisson (Krockett) Gay, Mollie Schlafke, Olivia Gay, Eva Gay, Harper Foline, Landon Gay, Lawrence Gay, Leif Gay, Ella Gay, James Gay, and MaeLynn Gay; Special friend, Jane Rechtzigal of Osakis; former wife and close friend, Diane Gay of Alexandria; sister, Phyllis (George) Zubulake; nephew, George (Jane) Zubulake; and niece, GayAnne (Derek) Boundy.  He was preceded in death by his parents.

A Celebration of Jerry’s life will take place on Tuesday, December 20, 2022, at 11 AM at the Anderson Funeral Home Chapel in Alexandria.  Jerry's service will be livestreamed and can be viewed on his obituary page on the funeral home's website.

A visitation will be held on Monday, December 19, 2022, from 4-7 PM at the Anderson Funeral Home and also one hour prior to the service on Tuesday.

Full military honors will be accorded by the Minnesota Naval Honor Guard, American Legion Post #87, Veteran of Foreign Wars Post #936, Vietnam Veterans of American Chapter #235, and the Marine Corps League Detachment #1409.