Gerald W. Hill

Gerald "Herm" Hill, age 88 of Glenwood, died Wednesday, May 19, 2021 at the Glenwood Retirement Village. A visitation in Glenwood for family and friends will be held from 5:00-7:00 P.M. on Thursday, May 27, 2021 at the Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home Glenwood. 

Next month, a Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday June 17th at Park Methodist Church in Brainerd, Minnesota. There will be a visitation one hour prior to the service in Brainerd on the 17th. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery in Brainerd. Arrangements are with the Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home in Glenwood. 

Gerald Wayne Hill, the son of Matthew and Maud (Kaufman) Hill was born in Brainerd, Minnesota on May 10, 1933. He was baptized and confirmed at Park Methodist Church in Brainerd. He attended school and graduated from Brainerd High School in 1952. A gifted athlete, having earned 16 athletic letters in his high school career, he was inducted as a charter member of the Brainerd Warrior Hall of Fame in 1978. He was Brainerd’s first 16 letterman having earned letters in football, basketball, baseball and track for four consecutive years from freshman to senior. He was All-State in football and All-Conference in football and track as a junior and senior. After graduation, he attended Kansas State University before entering the United States Army where he served in Germany until his discharge in 1955.

Jerry was united in marriage to Muriel Marie “Murmie” Bisek on March 3, 1956, and together they raised four sons. He completed his education at St. Cloud State University earning a B.S. in education. He began teaching in Glenwood, Minnesota in 1961 and continued to teach social studies and coach in the Glenwood/Minnewaska School system until his retirement in 1995. He was head football, track and girls’ basketball coach. He enjoyed teaching and loved coaching and was well liked by both students and athletes.

Jerry loved being outdoors. His favorite times were spent with his family, hunting and fishing with his sons and grandchildren, attending their athletic events and their fishing trips to Canada and snowmobiling. Sadly, in his later years he was sidelined with dementia and was no longer able to do the things he so enjoyed.

Jerry was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and spending time with his family was important to him. He never said “no” to a request for help from friends and neighbors and could repair almost anything. He loved “tinkering” with motors and cars and in his garage.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 65 years, Muriel; sons and daughters-in-law: Mark “Bunker” (Pam) of Melrose, Steve (Dawn) of Becker, Ted (Koni) of Glenwood, and Chris (Tricia) of Glenwood; 10 grandchildren: Brianna Olson, Brandon Hill, Taylor (Sonja) Hill, Tyson Hill, Justine Hill, Ian Hill, Rachel Hill, Austin Hill, Jordan Hill and Tony Hill; great-grandsons, Theo and Gunnar Hill; sister-in-law, June Steinke; nieces, Nancy (Randy) Lindemann, Sherri (Garry) Swartz; nephews, Wade (Rita) Nelson, Jeffrey Nelson, Gary (Carolyn) Steinke, David (Rose) Steinke, Greg (Judy) Steinke, Tim Steinke, Michael (Diane) Bisek, Daniel Bisek, Jamie Bisek, Joe (Leesha) Bisek; other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; grandson, Ryan Hill; sister, Jeannine Nelson; sister-in-law, Beverly Bisek; brothers-in-law, Wally Steinke and David V. Bisek; nephews, Warren Nelson and Thomas Bisek.

His family will miss his easy grin, wonderful sense of humor and level-headed wisdom. He was much loved and will be greatly missed.

Jerry’s family would like to publicly express their gratitude to the caring staff at Glenwood Retirement Village for the wonderful care he received while a resident there.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Pope County Food Shelf or to Alzheimer’s research.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.