Obituary for Gerald Jerry Minch
Gerald Jerry Minch, age 63, passed away peacefully at his home in
Billings, Mont. on Tuesday, September 18, 2018 surrounded by his
family after a brief and courageous battle with lung cancer.
Jerry was born October 26, 1954 in Columbus, Mont., the fifth of six
children, to John and Mollie (Riechert) Minch. Jerry had the
compassion and heart of his mother while possessing the creativity and
toughness of his father and strongly valued the relationships with his
siblings Rose, Charlie, Mary Ann, John and Kathleen.
Jerry attended West Elementary School in Laurel and then graduated
from Laurel High School in 1972 before attending college briefly in
Powell, Wyo. and returning to work in Laurel.
Jerry married the late Patty Jo Carr September 6, 1975 and from this
union, Ryan and Lisa were born. Jerry then married Colleen Cantrell in
2005 and started a new adventure with her sons, Nathan and Erik.
A man of integrity and dedication, Jerry had a cleverness and quick
wit that was rarely matched and had subtly mastered the art of quick
comebacks that kept his railroad buddies and family on their toes.
Jerry worked for BNSF Railroad and Montana RailLink for 42 years as a
car inspector. Jerry was dedicated to his profession, a trait that
earned him respect and high regard amongst his coworkers. Jerry
retired from the railroad in 2015.
Although dedicated and committed to his railroad career, Jerry always
found time to do the things he loved. He took great pride in
everything he did, whether it was teaching a new apprentice how to
properly change brake shoes or teaching the fundamentals of baseball
to Lisa’s IGA Peacocks T-ball squad. Jerry also loved carpentry work
from building freestyle Christmas decorations that he proudly
displayed at both his Laurel and Billings homes to teaching Colleen
how to properly drill in deck screws, introducing her to the “Minch
Look”. When preparing to repaint his Billings home, Jerry let his
perfectionism show while sanding and painting the house into a
beautiful transformation.
Jerry also loved to travel and was an avid Chicago Cubs and Green Bay
Packers fan. Some of his most memorable vacations included going to
Denver and Chicago with his son Ryan and best friend Harley to watch
the Cubs, with Ryan usually serving as the GPS on those trips. Jerry
and Colleen took several vacations with the highlights being to
Chicago, Jamaica and the Southern Carribbean. Jerry also enjoyed
traveling to watch Ryan coach football in White Sulphur Springs with
Erik and carrying on the tradition of the Fourth of July Pancake
breakfast with his daughter 25 consecutive years.
Jerry loved to laugh and loved to make others happy. That held true to
his final days, rolling his eyes in the patented Minch way, cracking a
smile and uttering a few “surprises” with his family.
Colleen, Lisa, Ryan, Erik and Nathan would like to thank Pam and
Compassus Hospice and Synergy Home Care for their compassion and
respectful care of Jerry during his final days. A special thanks also
goes to Dr. Mosser, Dr. Cobb and Dr. Malters, for their continued
evaluation and care.
Jerry is preceded in death by his parents, John and Mollie Minch,
brother Charlie (Jane) Minch and grandson Dylan (Ryan).
Jerry is survived by his wife Colleen (Cantrell), children Lisa
(Chris) Dantic, Ryan Minch, Erik (Emily) Halland and Nathan Halland.
Siblings Rose (Dick) Goodall, John Minch, Mary Ann (Duane) Fong and
Kathleen Minch. Jerry leaves seven grandchildren, Ava, Brielle and
Kira Halland, Colter and Sawyer Dantic and Wyatt and Eva Minch. He
also has many nieces and nephews who will cherish and miss the times
they shared with uncle Jerry.
Jerry, you are now captain of your own ship and may God guide you to
new and wonderful adventures. You touched the lives of so many and are
loved and will terribly missed by many.
Services will be held Wednesday September 26 at 2:30 p.m. at Smith
Funeral Chapel in Laurel, Mont. A private ceremony for burial will be
for the family at the Laurel Cemetary. A reception will follow at The
Beartooth Grill.
In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Special K Ranch or any cancer foundation of the donor’s choice. Condolences may be shared with the family by visiting smithfuneralchapels.com.
Billings, Mont. on Tuesday, September 18, 2018 surrounded by his
family after a brief and courageous battle with lung cancer.
Jerry was born October 26, 1954 in Columbus, Mont., the fifth of six
children, to John and Mollie (Riechert) Minch. Jerry had the
compassion and heart of his mother while possessing the creativity and
toughness of his father and strongly valued the relationships with his
siblings Rose, Charlie, Mary Ann, John and Kathleen.
Jerry attended West Elementary School in Laurel and then graduated
from Laurel High School in 1972 before attending college briefly in
Powell, Wyo. and returning to work in Laurel.
Jerry married the late Patty Jo Carr September 6, 1975 and from this
union, Ryan and Lisa were born. Jerry then married Colleen Cantrell in
2005 and started a new adventure with her sons, Nathan and Erik.
A man of integrity and dedication, Jerry had a cleverness and quick
wit that was rarely matched and had subtly mastered the art of quick
comebacks that kept his railroad buddies and family on their toes.
Jerry worked for BNSF Railroad and Montana RailLink for 42 years as a
car inspector. Jerry was dedicated to his profession, a trait that
earned him respect and high regard amongst his coworkers. Jerry
retired from the railroad in 2015.
Although dedicated and committed to his railroad career, Jerry always
found time to do the things he loved. He took great pride in
everything he did, whether it was teaching a new apprentice how to
properly change brake shoes or teaching the fundamentals of baseball
to Lisa’s IGA Peacocks T-ball squad. Jerry also loved carpentry work
from building freestyle Christmas decorations that he proudly
displayed at both his Laurel and Billings homes to teaching Colleen
how to properly drill in deck screws, introducing her to the “Minch
Look”. When preparing to repaint his Billings home, Jerry let his
perfectionism show while sanding and painting the house into a
beautiful transformation.
Jerry also loved to travel and was an avid Chicago Cubs and Green Bay
Packers fan. Some of his most memorable vacations included going to
Denver and Chicago with his son Ryan and best friend Harley to watch
the Cubs, with Ryan usually serving as the GPS on those trips. Jerry
and Colleen took several vacations with the highlights being to
Chicago, Jamaica and the Southern Carribbean. Jerry also enjoyed
traveling to watch Ryan coach football in White Sulphur Springs with
Erik and carrying on the tradition of the Fourth of July Pancake
breakfast with his daughter 25 consecutive years.
Jerry loved to laugh and loved to make others happy. That held true to
his final days, rolling his eyes in the patented Minch way, cracking a
smile and uttering a few “surprises” with his family.
Colleen, Lisa, Ryan, Erik and Nathan would like to thank Pam and
Compassus Hospice and Synergy Home Care for their compassion and
respectful care of Jerry during his final days. A special thanks also
goes to Dr. Mosser, Dr. Cobb and Dr. Malters, for their continued
evaluation and care.
Jerry is preceded in death by his parents, John and Mollie Minch,
brother Charlie (Jane) Minch and grandson Dylan (Ryan).
Jerry is survived by his wife Colleen (Cantrell), children Lisa
(Chris) Dantic, Ryan Minch, Erik (Emily) Halland and Nathan Halland.
Siblings Rose (Dick) Goodall, John Minch, Mary Ann (Duane) Fong and
Kathleen Minch. Jerry leaves seven grandchildren, Ava, Brielle and
Kira Halland, Colter and Sawyer Dantic and Wyatt and Eva Minch. He
also has many nieces and nephews who will cherish and miss the times
they shared with uncle Jerry.
Jerry, you are now captain of your own ship and may God guide you to
new and wonderful adventures. You touched the lives of so many and are
loved and will terribly missed by many.
Services will be held Wednesday September 26 at 2:30 p.m. at Smith
Funeral Chapel in Laurel, Mont. A private ceremony for burial will be
for the family at the Laurel Cemetary. A reception will follow at The
Beartooth Grill.
In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Special K Ranch or any cancer foundation of the donor’s choice. Condolences may be shared with the family by visiting smithfuneralchapels.com.