Jerry Kalina

The funeral service for Jerry Charles Kalina of Wadena will be held at 3:00 PM on Friday, October 28, 2016, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Wadena with Pastor Megan Clapp presiding. Visitation will be held on Thursday at the Johnson-Schuller Chapel in Wadena from 5:00 until 8:00 PM and will resume at the church on Friday from 1:30 PM until the time of service. Surrounded by his loving family, Jerry passed away peacefully on October 23, 2016 at the age of 92, at his assisted living home in Perham, MN., under the care of Red River Valley Hospice. Jerry Charles Kalina was born February 14, 1924 to Charley and Marie (Kubin) Kalina in Lake Mary Township, rural Lowry, MN. He was our Valentine's Sweetheart! As a young boy, Jerry attended country school where he met his future wife, Vi. He left the farm life and moved to Chicago, Illinois where he worked at his sister's Grocery Store/Meat Market. He was drafted into the army where he served in Europe during WWII with the 102nd Infantry Division. After being honorably discharged, he returned home and began a job as a manager for the National Tea grocery chain in Glenwood, MN. He married his country school sweetheart, Viola Star, on June 20th 1950. They moved to Ironwood (MI), Brainerd, & Aitkin opening new grocery stores. In 1954, they settled in Wadena where they lived together for 61 years raising a family of 6 children. Jerry started a new career as a Prudential Insurance Agent in 1957. He was a hard-working, honest and gentle man. After 30 years, he retired so he could spend more time with his family, grandchildren, and friends. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, being at the lake, camping, traveling, and volunteering. Jerry was active as a color guard and commander with the VFW Post #3922, Wadena Lions Club president and recipient of the Melvin Jones Fellow Award, member of Wadena Elks Lodge #2386, and a faithful member of Immanuel Lutheran Church. He will be deeply missed by his 6 children and their spouses, 18 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren: Terry & Tami Kalina and family of Perham; Kristy & Bryce Hoime and family of Edmore, ND; Cindy & Dean Uselman and family of Wadena; Bob & Shirley Kalina and family of Perham; Mark & Sharon Kalina and family of Perham ; Todd & Heidi Kalina and family of Perham. One brother: Franklin (Pat) Kalina of Albertville, MN and family. Jerry was preceded in death by: his loving wife of 61 years, Viola; his parents: Charley and Marie; his brothers: Ed Kalina and Richard Kalina; and his sisters: Albina Vesely and Bessie Foner. Honorary pallbearers will be Jerry’s granddaughters, and serving as active pallbearers will be Jerry’s grandsons. Burial will be next to his wife in Wadena Cemetery, Wadena, MN.

Jerry Kalina

February 14, 1924 - October 23, 2016