Gerald "Jerry" J. VanderBeek

Gerald “Jerry” Jay VanderBeek, age 78 of Brooten, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, September 9, 2023 at Glacial Ridge Hospital in Glenwood, Minnesota. A visitation will be held on Saturday, Sept. 16th from 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Glenwood. A memorial service will follow at 1:30 p.m. Arrangements are with the Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home in Glenwood.

Gerald “Jerry” J. VanderBeek was born on Nov 18, 1944 to Jacob and Myrtle (Takken) VanderBeek in Glenwood, Minnesota. He attended Brooten schools and graduated from Brooten High School in 1962. He then attended NDSCS Wahpeton for Liberal Art and Drafting. After receiving his degree, Jerry enlisted in the U. S. Air Force where he served in Germany, doing meteorology, from 1966 until his honorable discharge in 1970. When he returned home, Jerry worked for the Bonanza Valley potato plant for 4 years. He then purchased and ran milk trucks while owning and operating Jerry’s Service Station for several years.

Jerry bought his farm west of Brooten in 1974. He married Sharon Hofmann on September 17, 1976. Jerry and Sharon worked and lived on the farm where they raised and homeschooled their six children. They continued to farm until 2007, when their son, Nathan, took over.

Jerry loved the Lord his God with all his heart, soul, mind and strength. He was a longtime, faithful member of First Baptist Church in Glenwood. Over the years, Jerry enjoyed baling hay, cutting wood, trapping gophers, and in recent years, being a part of the Senior Citizens Club. He was a member of the Brooten Legion where he served as Commander the past few years. He also served on the Bangor Township Board in many capacities over the years. He was blessed to be grandfather to 14 grandchildren.

Jerry passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, September 9, 2023, at Glacial Ridge Hospital, having lived to the age of 78. May his memory be blessed.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Sharon (Hofmann) VanderBeek, their six children, Chris VanderBeek of Rosemount, Sharlene (Kurt) Ramm of Panama City Beach, FL, Nathan (Christina) VanderBeek of Brooten, Matthew VanderBeek of Brooten, Sarah (DelShane) Kluge of Hankinson ND, Sam (Connie) VanderBeek of Show Low, AZ, as well as grandchildren – Hannah, Caleb, Lizzy, Lane, Ainsley, Walker, Harvey, Hudson, Ellie, Watson, Sawyer, Edison, Weston, and one to come; he is also survived by two brothers-in-law, Jim (Mary) Hofmann of Glenwood, John Hofmann of Iowa; one sister-in-law, Donna Netland of Alexandria; his best friend Calvin Brower of Brooten; and many nieces and nephews.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Jacob and Myrtle VanderBeek; his wife’s parents, Gilbert and Viola Hofmann; his sister and her husband, Jennet and Jim Anderson; and two nephews.

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