Gerald "Jerry" Edward Wilczek, 88, of Duluth, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019 in Duluth. Jerry was born in Little Falls, MN to Clarence and Clara Wilczek on Jan. 1, 1931. He attended Our Lady of Lourdes School and later Little Falls High School. He was senior co-captain and quarterback for the football team, and also played basketball and baseball for the Flyers. He graduated in 1948. He played professional baseball in the Midwest and East Coast in the early 1950s. Later, he was well known in the area as an amateur player and manager. He managed the 1955 and 1956 teams which were runners-up in the state amateur baseball tournament. He was also a referee for high school basketball. Jerry began his 35-year career with Minnesota Power in 1953. He started at the Blanchard Plant in Little Falls and went on to become the Chief of the Winton Plant in 1965. In 1972, he became Chief of St. Louis River Plants at Thomson. In 1981, he was promoted to Superintendent - Central Hydro at Thomson Plant in Jay Cooke State Park. When Jerry retired in 1988, he and Mavis enjoyed many winters in Brownsville, Texas. Jerry was a member of Holy Family Church in Duluth. He enjoyed playing golf, hunting, camping, fishing, and watching all sports - especially the MN Twins. He was a Rotarian and was inducted into the Little Falls High School Athletic Hall of Fame. Jerry will be remembered for his quick wit, sense of humor, and kindness. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Mavis; granddaughter, Melissa; sister, Marilyn; and former wife, JoAnn. Jerry is survived by his children, Diane (Jerry) Kuklis, Deb (Larry) Haapala, Rick, Greg, and Dan (Cathy) Wilczek; Mavis' children, Nancy, Brad (Lynn), and Bruce Thompson; JoAnn's daughter, Mary Beth Ellis; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sisters, Audreen "Ozzie" Schwegman, Irene Newman, Jane Nordlund; brother, Terry Wilczek; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family. VISITATION: 10 am on Saturday, Nov. 9th at Holy Family Church, 2430 W. 3rd St., with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Backpack Food Program at Second Harvest - Northern Lakes Food Bank, 4503 Airpark Blvd., which feeds school-aged children on the weekends.

Visitation

NOV 9. 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (CST)

Holy Family Catholic Church 2430 W. 3rd St. Duluth, MN, 55806

Mass of Christian Burial

NOV 9. 11:00 AM (CST)

Holy Family Catholic Church 2430 W. 3rd St. Duluth, MN, 55806