Service Information
Gerald “Jerry” Peichel, age 93, of Fairfax passed away Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at his home in rural Fairfax.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, October 6, 2025, 11:00 A.M. at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Fairfax with interment in the church cemetery.
Gathering of Family and Friends will be two hours prior (9:00 A.M.-11:00 A.M.) to the service at the church. The Rosary will be prayed at 8:45 A.M. by the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus.
Military Honors by the Fairfax Honor Guard.
Memorial contributions may be made to Schoenstatt on the Lake (Sleepy Eye) or Mary Jo Copeland (Sharing & Caring Hands in Minneapolis) https://sharingandcaringhands.org/donate
Obituary
Gerald (Jerry) Ralph Peichel, age 93, passed away peacefully at his rural Fairfax home on September 10, 2025, surrounded by family. Jerry was born January 20, 1932, to William and Anna Olivia (Olive) Peichel in their family home in Nicollet County. He was the fourth eldest of fifteen children. In 1958 he married Janet Walsh of St. Paul, Minnesota, and they were blessed with eight children. Infant daughter Mary, son John, and his wife, Janet, preceded him in death. He is survived by his children: George (Mary) of Fairfax; Marilyn VanOverbeke of St. Paul; Donna (David) Wehe of Alamosa, Colorado; Paul (Mary) of Richfield; Susan (Mark) Evans of Red Wing; and Barb (TJ Yocum) of South St. Paul. His grandchildren will miss him dearly: Rebecca, Edward, Anna, Grant, Luke, Jack, Ryan, Hayden, John, Caleb, Nicolas, and Ezra. His brothers and sisters will miss his phone calls and visits. He is survived by his sisters: Annie (Tom) Dickmeyer, Pauline (Mike †) Sonn, and Margaret Moulton, and by his brothers Phillip (Diane †), Gilbert (Charlene), Kenneth (Lonnie), and Tim (Pat). He was preceded in death by his sisters and brothers-in-law: Rosemary (Jack) Beissel, Janie (Eddie) Staloch, Adeline (Wallace) Dickmeyer, his brothers: Daniel (Danny Boy), Roger (Kathy), Gregory, and an infant sister.
Jerry was well known in the community for sharing “Peichel’s Hill” for the enjoyment of many groups and family get-togethers. He was proud to wear his military uniform, having served our country as part of the U.S. Army’s Company B, 27th Engineer Combat Battalion in Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Jerry was baptized in St. George Church, attended District 36 country school, confirmed in St. Andrew’s Church, and graduated from Fairfax High School in 1951. He was very active as an officer and member of the VFW, American Legion, 3rd Degree, 4th Degree and was a 4-year District Deputy in the Knights of Columbus. He served on boards for the Mayflower Country Club, Ridgely Township, the Nicollet County Republicans, and was recognized as the Fairfax Volunteer of the Year in 2011. Jerry was a “Steward of God’s Earth,” and was named the Nicollet County Farmer of the Year in 1983, being honored for his devotion to conservation. Some of his favorite memories include: traveling, golfing, playing cards, sausage-making, baking, mushroom and deer hunting. He was a devout Catholic and cherished his close relationship to God.
The funeral service will be held on Monday, October, 6th, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Andrew’s Church in Fairfax with interment in the church cemetery following mass. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. prior to the service. The Rosary will be prayed at 8:45 A.M. by the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus. Military Honors by the Fairfax Honor Guard. A luncheon at “Peichel’s Hill” will follow the interment.
In lieu of flowers and cards, memorial contributions may be made to Schoenstatt on the Lake (Sleepy Eye) or Mary Jo Copeland (Sharing & Caring Hands in Minneapolis) https://sharingandcaringhands.org/donate.
Please visit the Hauser-Hantge Funeral Chapel website at: www.hantge.com to express condolences with his family, share stories, or mention your favorite quote that you remember Jerry saying.
Frederick and Ann Jutz says
Our deepest sympathy to the Peichel Family. May your memories of Jerry bring you comfort and peace.
Bob Shimanski KofC Ins. says
I would like to express my deepest sympathy to the Peichel children. Your dad was a very generous man who was always willing to help! May he rest in peace.
Dianne Erickson says
Jerry was my hero! He and Janet helped my family and me more than I can express in this note. His children were good friends with mine and I knew that his family would never turn down a request for help. I know that Jerry is in God’s hands now. May he rest in peace.
Joy Friton says
My Deepest Sympathy to the Peichel Family, He will be remembered for all the things dad he did for everyone
Vietta”Prax” Brightwell says
Rest in peace peace , Jerry
Philip Prax says
Jerry was certainly one of the good guys!
I don’t think that I ever saw him when he wasn’t smiling.
Rest in Peace Jerry!
You’ll be missed by those that had the pleasure of knowing you.
Jeffery Puttkammer says
Jerry was a heck of a man, father, husband. I met him 50 years ago at my wedding. He and I shared a love of our country we both served during war time, although our views differed on many things we respected each other. One time while on vacation with my wife in Las Vegas, I was getting on the elevator to go up to our room and a voice said, Jeff I turned and there was Jerry now being in Las Vegas you tell me what the odds are to meet on the strip staying at the same hotel. My sincere condolences to his children whom I have known over the last fifty years. I am absolutely sure Jerry is sitting on a hill far away looking on to those he loved Jeff Puttkammer
Laura Dittrich says
Our sympathies to the Peichel family. May Jerry rest in peace and enjoy his reunion with Janet.
Laura and Bill Dittrich
Deb Suchomel says
My deepest sympathy to all of the Peichel family.
Deb (Black) Suchomel
Adolia Roth says
May the family feel the peace of God be felt by the Peichel family and friends, I pray. I remember Jerry from the grocery store when I worked there. When I was in the VFW Auxiliary, while it was in Fairfax, I had the pleasure of seeing a very serious side of him, a compassionate side and a funny side. Another hero has made his way above to the arms of our Savior , his wife Janet ad their children and family in heaven.
Sr Marie Day says
My prayer for Jerry and the family. It has been a great gift to know Jerry and spend time visiting him in the last years. I thank Jerry for his service and the giving to our Schoenstatt movement and our camps. Sr. Marie Day
Matt Cutter says
Mr. Peichel’s continued support for Richfield Scout Troop 262 over the years was a great boon. He will be greatly missed, and we offer our sincerest condolences to the his family.