Gerald L. Reynolds, age 87,died July 22,2007 at Elim Home in Princeton. A visitation will be held Wednesday July 25, 2007 at the Strike Funeral Home – Isanti Chapel from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M.Funeral services will be held Thursday July 26, 2007 at 2:00 P.M.at Spencer BrookUnited Methodist Church in rural Princeton,with Rev. Diane Nelson officiating. Themusicians will be Bernie and Gloria Wesloh. Pallbearers will be Bryan Rocheford, Jeff Reynolds, Rod Reynolds, Tom Reynolds, Mickey Smith, and Larry Vetos.
Gerald Lee Reynolds was born in Spencer Brook on the family farm to Elmer and Martha (Ott) Reynolds.on July 16, 1920. He lived on the farm until August 2006 when he moved to the Elim Care center in Princeton due to health conditions.
Gerald was one that never wanted to venture off very far. He once traveled to Iowa and another time traveled to Canada. He was content with his home, family and neighbors. Gerald, called Gerald by his parents, lived and farmed with his parents and eventually took over the farm. Gerald always planted a garden big enough so that he could supply the neighbors with vegetables, especially sweet corn. As a farmer, there was only one color that a tractor could be, and that was “green”, as in John Deere! Gerald enjoyed working on old John Deere tractors and other machinery. He enjoyed antiques that he could clean up and donate or sell.
Nieces and nephews remember “Uncle Gerald” as a special uncle. Gerald loved to fish for “punkin seeds” on Blue Lake. He had a wooden rowboat at Cook’s on Blue Lake and often took the kids fishing with him. The fish were always small but they sure did taste good! Gerald also enjoyed winter fishing. When Christmas came, there were gifts for all, special gifts picked out by “Uncle Gerald” himself.
The family tradition of making sorghum was passed down from generation to generation. According to brother Erwin, Gerald was the expert and together the brothers carried on this tradition and made sorghum annually as long as both were able to.
Church and community were important to Gerald. For many years Gerald mowed the grass around the town hall and was part of the voting crew on election days. Gerald was a lifetime member at the Spencer Brook United Methodist Church. He served in various capacities but will probably be remembered the best for being one of the ushers every Sunday. Gerald will be missed by his church family.
He was a kind man with a generous heart and will be missed by his sister DeLoris Reynolds, brothers Erwin and Roger and by nieces, nephews and many special friends. Gerald was preceded in death by his beloved parents; sister, Marjorie Embretson; brother, Donald and infant brother, Eugene.