Gerald "Jerry" E. Korbel

Gerald “Jerry” E. Korbel, age 78, of Glenwood and formerly of St. Paul, MN, died unexpectedly on Saturday, November 2, 2019, at his residence. A private family memorial service will be held at the funeral home chapel, with interment to follow in Glenwood Lutheran Church Cemetery. Arrangements are with Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home of Glenwood.

Gerald Eddie Korbel, son of Eddie and Violet (Menge) Korbel, was born on April 2, 1941, in Mahnomen, MN. He grew up in Mahnomen, along with his younger sister, Lois. He and his family were members of the United Church of Christ. Gerald attended public school was the Valedictorian of the Class of 1959. Following graduation, he attended the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis/St. Paul, where he earned a Master’s Degree in Chemical Engineering. Gerald was employed at 3M in St. Paul for over 30 years, during which time he co-authored several patents. After his retirement, he traveled all over the United States selling Native American merchandise at Powwows. In 2015, faced with declining health, Gerald moved to Glenwood, where he lived with his sister until the time of his death.

Gerald was an avid Minnesota sports fan. He followed the Minnesota Gophers, the Vikings, the Twins, and even his old high school team, the Mahnomen Indians. Having lived in the Twin Cities for most of his life, he was able to attend many of the home games and during many of those years he held season tickets for his favorite teams.

Gerald will be remembered as a loving and caring brother, uncle, and friend. He will be greatly missed by those whose lives he touched.

Gerald is survived by his sister, Lois Keckheisen of Glenwood; aunt, Ruth Menge of St. Paul, MN; his niece and her husband, Ann and Todd Zemke, of Glenwood, and their daughters, Mikaela, Makenzia and Makaira; special friends, Carol and Chuck Houck and Bill Sampson; as well as cousins and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Eddie and Violet Korbel; brother-in-law, Edward “Pat” Keckeisen; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

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