Gerald Vanderbeek Obituary

Gerald "Jerry" Jay VanderBeek, age 78 of Brooten, passed away on September 9th, 2023 at Glacial Ridge Hospital in Glenwood, Minnesota. A visitation will be held on Saturday Sept 16th from 12:30p-1:30p at First Baptist Church of Glenwood. Memorial service will follow at 1:30pm. Arrangements are with the Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home in Glenwood. Jerry J. VanderBeek was born on Nov 18th, 1944 to Jacob and Myrtle (Takken) VanderBeek in Glenwood Minnesota. He attended and graduated from Brooten schools in 1962. He then attended NDSCS Wahpeton for Liberal Art & Drafting. Following graduation, he enlisted in the Air Force where he served our country in Germany in meteorology from 1966-1970. When he returned home, Jerry worked for Bonanza Valley Potato Plant for 4 years. He then purchased and ran milk trucks while owning Jerry's Service Station for several years. Jerry bought his farm west of Brooten in 1974. He married Sharon Hofmann on September 17th, 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 attended First Baptist Church of Glenwood for many years. Over the years, Jerry enjoyed baling hay, cutting wood, trapping gophers, and being a part of the Senior Citizens Club. He was a member of the local Legion where he served as the Commander the last 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 is survived by his wife, Sharon (Hofmann) VanderBeek, his six children; Chris VanderBeek of Rosemount, MN, 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 his 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 and one sister-in-law, Donna Netland of Alexandria, MN; 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 in-laws Gilbert and Viola Hofmann; Sister and brother-in-law, Jennet and Jim Anderson; and two nephews.