Gerald “Jerry” James Buckley, age 79 of Big Lake, died peacefully at home surrounded by family Dec. 26, 2013. Visitation will be Sunday, Dec. 29, 2013 from 4 pm to 7 pm with a prayer service at 6:30 at Peterson-Grimsmo Chapel, 250 East Broadway Monticello, MN. The funeral service will be Mon., Dec. 30, 2013 at 11 a.m. with visitation 1 hour before. Father Eugene Doyle will officiate at Mary of the Visitation Catholic Church in Big Lake, MN. Interment will be at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Cemetery in Big Lake, MN. Funeral arrangements are with the Peterson-Grimsmo Chapel of Monticello.

 

Jerry was born on a farm in Todd County, MN July 24, 1934. He grew up in Sauk Centre, MN. Jerry served in the United States Navy from 1955-1959. He married Lorena Frentz in December of 1958 in Los Angeles, CA and made their home in Big Lake in 1961. He and Lorena owned and operated Jerry’s Auto Salvage, Inc, which was formed that same year. After retirement, Jerry enjoyed playing guitar, drinking coffee with friends at the Lake Café, attending car shows and bluegrass festivals. After Lorena’s passing, Jerry spent his final years enjoying travel between Minnesota and Arizona with his high school sweetheart, Janet Johnson-Pieper.

 

He is survived by his son, Mike (Sue) Buckley; daughters Kathie Buckley Switala and Mary (Rick) Lemke; his loving friend Janet Johnson-Pieper; 6 grandchildren; and friend of the family, Steve Switala. Jerry was preceded in death by his wife, Lorena, in 2002; brother Tom Buckley; sister Barbara Pettit-Hodel; and parents James Buckley and Francis Dickinson-Buckley.