Gerald “Jerry” J. Fluck

Obituary

Gerald John Fluck was born on June 13, 1941, at Churchill in rural Hector, in Renville County, Minnesota. He was the son of Smila and Minnie (Kalbus) Fluck. Gerald “Jerry” was baptized at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Hector, Minnesota, and was later confirmed by Pastor PW Pilgrim. Jerry grew up at Churchill and attended District 49 country school through 5th grade, and then transferred to Hector Public in Hector, where he graduated in 1959. While in school, he was active in basketball, track, the projectionist club, and FFA. As a member of the FFA, Jerry was an officer, won the State Farmer degree, and was a member of the Farm Mechanics judging team that received state runner-up. Jerry was also a member of the Lakeside Comets 4-H club where he received the Key Award. He and Cathy would serve as leaders of this club later when their children became members.

In 1959, Jerry entered the United States Army and was stationed in Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri, for Basic Training & 2nd 8 Training in Communication. He was then stationed in Giessen, Germany, where he served in the 7th army 92nd Artillery Battalion in field communications. His stay was extended for 2 ½ months because of the Berlin Crisis. Jerry was discharged from active duty in 1962, with a rank of SP-4. He served in the active National Guard reserves in Winthrop and was fully discharged from military obligations in 1965.

After returning from the service, Jerry helped his father with the farming. In 1963, he began work at 3M in Hutchinson, Minnesota, as a production technician. While working at 3M, Jerry met his future bride, Catherine Wogan. They were married on November 28, 1964, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Benson, Minnesota. After their marriage, they lived in Hutchinson, until they built their home on Lake Allie in 1967. The marriage was blessed with three children, Lonnie, Deitra and Chad. He worked at 3M until his retirement in 1997. After retirement from 3M, Jerry and his wife, Cathy, started JFC Services where he did snow blowing, lawn care, golf car maintenance, and other odd jobs. To satisfy his interest in farming, he helped his brother, Orville, until Orville’s passing and then ran the combine for his brother, Willard.

Jerry was also active in the community. He served on the Renville County Commission for approximately 15 years, serving as chairman a couple times. He was also on the Renville County Water Quality Board, did water sampling for the Lake Allie Association, and served on the ESSD board in both the secretary and chairman positions. In addition to those organizations, he served on the church council and was property and management chairman at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Hutchinson, served as an election judge, and was on the sidelines running the chains at Stewart High School football games.

Jerry had a wide range of interests to fill up his free time. Jerry and Cathy played in a pinochle card club group for over fifty years. Jerry also enjoyed playing golf, and cherished memories such as winning an annual Labor Day Hutch Oakdale tournament with his sons Lonnie and Chad, and finished his golf career in 2019, winning a tournament with his son, Lonnie, and his grandson, Jackson. He was a jack of all trades and handy man, building many pieces of equipment, furniture and putting his engineering spin on every project. He enjoyed old time music, which led to two cruises with the Molly Bee Polka band. He also enjoyed other cruises and trips that he and Cathy took-Washington DC, Mexico, Hawaii, Alaska, as well as family trips to Florida, the west coast, the Black Hills, and camping trips to northern Minnesota. Jerry and Cathy also hosted several family campouts at their home on Lake Allie.

Gerald John Fluck, passed away on Sunday, May 5, 2024, at the Buffalo Lake Healthcare Center, at the age of 82 years.

Blessed be his memory.

Jerry is survived by his:
Wife, Cathy Fluck of Buffalo Lake, MN;
Children, Lonnie (Kathleen) Fluck of Becker, MN, their children Maxwell (Amanda) Fluck of Naperville, IL, Samantha Fluck of Bartlett IL, Jackson Fluck of Becker, MN;
Deitra Paulsen of Buffalo Lake, MN, her children Desirae Olinger of Buffalo Lake, MN, and her children, Michael and Payton Olinger, Samuel Ebnet, Alesha (Colton) Batenhorst of Blair, NE, and her child, Waylan Batenhorst;
Chad Fluck of Woodbury, MN, his children, Lyla and Tyler Fluck;
Brother, Willard Fluck of Hutchinson, MN, and his wife, Heather Fluck of Buffalo Lake, MN;
Sister, Marian (Charles) Anderson of Eden Prairie, MN;
Brother-in-law, Joseph Wogan of Benson, MN;
Sister-in-law, Lois (Lavern) Kerkeide of Alexandria, MN;
Nephews, Nieces and friends.

Jerry was preceded in death by his Parents, Smila and Minnie Fluck; Brother, Orville Fluck; Infant Brother; Father-and Mother-in-law, George and Elsie Wogan; Step-father-in-law, Ray Wogan; Sister- in-law, Rose Wogan.