Gerald "Jerry" E. Bixby

Gerald “Jerry” E. Bixby, age 88, of Walker, MN, passed away on January 21, 2025, at Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, ND. He was born on March 16, 1936, to Noble and Catherine (Wilson) Bixby in Akeley, MN.

Jerry grew up and attended school in Akeley. He loved sports, and played football, baseball, and basketball, and was All Conference.

Jerry was united in marriage to Gloria (Cory) in September of 1957. Their union blessed them with three children, Sheryol, Norman, and Scott.

Jerry served in the 82nd Airborne Army at Fort Bragg, NC. After his service in the Army, he and his family moved to the Twin Cities where he spent 18 years as a self-employed drywaller. He also spent 5 of those years at Crystal Cabinets as a Supervisor of the cabinet finishing department.

Jerry and his family would often spend their weekends up north at their cabin in Park Rapids, MN. His love for fishing and hunting drew him back up north in 1977, where he moved his family and settled in Walker, MN. He continued his career as a self-employed drywaller in the Walker and surrounding area and passed on his drywalling skills to his two sons. When he wasn’t working, he enjoyed ice and summer fishing with his friends and family. He also looked forward to the fall, where he spent many deer seasons hunting with his sons and grandchildren.

Jerry had several hobbies that he especially enjoyed in retirement. He loved gardening with his wife, Gloria, in the summers. He built many bird houses and loved to feed and watch the birds. He enjoyed woodworking and building things. He also carved and painted wooden fish decoys.

Jerry often enjoyed the holidays with his family. In the summers he would gather with the family for 4th of July celebrations in the Walker City Park for a picnic and fireworks. However, his favorite holiday was Christmas, there was always plenty of food, family, love, and laughter.

Jerry also loved watching sports on tv and could talk teams with anyone. His favorite teams were the Minnesota Golden Gopher football and basketball teams. He also enjoyed watching Minnesota Twins baseball in which he was able to see them win the World Series in 1987 and a repeat in 1991. Jerry loved the Minnesota Vikings. Each year he held out hope (as we all did) that maybe this would be “the year”.

Jerry loved to tease and joke around with people, and it wasn’t uncommon to find him peeking around a corner or sneaking up behind his friends and family to give them a good scare. He’d belly laugh and got a big kick out of it when he got a good reaction.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Gloria of Walker; sons, Norman (Peggy) of Walker and Scott (Sandra) Bixby of Erskine, MN; nine grandchildren; nineteen great-grandchildren; five great great-grandchildren; sisters, Jeannie Boettcher of Park Rapids and Linda (Richard) Eickhoff of Albert Lea; and his special little buddy, his dog, Suki.

Jerry is preceded in death by his parents’ brothers, Norman, Noble, Randy, and Mike; daughter, Sheryol; grandson, Nathan; and brother-in-law, Dan.

A Celebration of Jerry’s Life will be on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. with a one-hour visitation prior, all to be held at the Community Church of Walker, MN. Pastor Michael Small will officiate. Jerry’s urn bearers are his sons, Norm and Scott. Honorary urn bearers are his grandsons, Mike, Jr., Colter, Nolan, Cody, Blake, and a heavenly grandson Nathan. Military Honors accorded by the Spencer Ross Post #134 Honor Guard following the service. A luncheon will follow the services at Nolan Bixby's Residence, 33291 County Road 31, LaPorte, MN, 56461. 

Jerry’s care has been entrusted to Northern Peace Funeral Home of Walker, MN. Online condolences for the family may be left at www.northernpeace.com

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