Gerald “Jerry” L. Stokes, age 83, died Monday, September 27, 2021 at his home.
Jerry was born on July 7, 1938 in Chatfield, Minnesota to Raymond and Bernice (Keller) Stokes. Jerry met the love of his life, Betty A. Matzke, at a roller skating rink in Stewartville. They were married on July 8, 1961 at St Bridget Catholic Church in Rochester. They just celebrated their 60th anniversary. He worked at Rochester Methodist Hospital in the maintenance department until his retirement.
Faith, family, friends, and fishing were his greatest joys. He was a man of many talents who also claimed to be good on his feet. Jerry enjoyed working and was always up for a challenge to build things from cutting the tree down to using the saw mill he built to creating things from that wood. Then he would enjoy a beer on the deck with Betty and anyone who was able to stop by. Dancing, music, camping and making his 5 beer chicken were things he looked forward to. Jerry & Betty loved being snowbirds in Yuma, Arizona for the last 20 years. He will be deeply missed.
Jerry is survived by his wife, Betty; his children, Richard (Pam) Stokes, Tammy Nelson, Deb (Steve) Schley, Barbara (Curtis) Rollie; brother, Mike (Carol) Stokes; grandchildren, Jimmy, Kayla, Jordan, Kasey, Tyler, Kelsey, Nicole, Jarod, and Mallory; and great grandchildren, Cayden, Bennett, Beckett, Marshall, Paisley, Brooks and Colton.
Jerry is preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Bernice Stokes; siblings, Lloyd, Brother Gerard, Francis, Mary Jo, Norbert, Kathy, Bill; grandchild, Hunter Rollie; great grandchildren, Beau and Riley Schley.
Visitation will be from 11am to 1pm, followed by a Mass from 1-2pm on Friday, October 1, 2021 at St Bridget Catholic Church, 2123 County 16 Road SE, Rochester, Minnesota with Father Kevin Connolly officiating. Honorary Pallbearers: Jimmy, Kayla, Jordan, Kasey, Tyler, Kelsey, Nicole, Jarod, Mallory. Gathering for fellowship and memories at the church hall following the service.
Rochester Cremation Services is assisting the family with arrangements. Memories and condolences of Jerry may be shared at rochestercremationservicesmn.com
I want to share my heartfelt condolences with the Stokes family. Jerry was my job colleague in the maintenance department for many years at Rochester Methodist Hospital. Jerry was a highly skilled, hard working, and well liked by his colleagues. I especially liked Jerry’s ability to keep us entertained when he shared stories about days gone by in the hospital maintenance department. Jerry was one of only a few who worked in the old Colonial Hospital maintenance department before the Rochester Methodist Hospital was built.
All the best.
I worked with Jerry in the maintenance department at Methodist Hospital. Jerry always made everyone feel welcome. Jerry could fix about anything if it could be fixed and was always willing to take the time to help someone learn! He taught me a lot as a new technician! While working the evening shift with Jerry it was work hard all night until the last half hour of the shift, then you did your paper work and ate microwave popcorn 🙂 I always enjoyed talking to Jerry about his home projects like getting the Cat (Bulldozer) going and when he built his wood boiler and his saw mill! There aren’t many people like Jerry in this world, but I am so glad I had the opportunity to have him in my life for the time that I did! Stokes Family I am so sorry for your loss! He will be remembered by everyone that knew him, I still think of him when I’m doing a home project and I do something that he showed me a better way to do it, I always smile and say thanks Jerry! Now when that happens I hope he can actually hear me! 🙂 Rest in Peace my Friend!