Gerald "Jerry" Lee Witte, 81, of Hermantown MN and Avon Park FL, passed away June 10, 2020 at Heritage Haven Assisted Living after a five year battle with Primary Progressive Aphasia syndrome. With his wife by his side, he entered into eternal life and his new role of guardian angel. Jerry was born in Duluth MN to Glenna (Allee) and Leonard Witte on May 22, 1939. He graduated from Hermantown High School in 1957. Following graduation, he joined the 179th Fighter Interceptor Squadron (now the 148th) of the USAF. He attended basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. His great grandson, Noah, followed in his footsteps. He worked in maintenance at Diamond Tool until it closed. He retired from the DM&IR Railroad as a boiler engineer. He lived in Hermantown, Pike Lake, Crystal Lake (Wascott WI) and Avon Park FL. Jerry was a member of American Legion Post 499 in Gordon WI. He sang tenor with the Harbormasters Chorus and Lake Superior Sound quartet. He loved to sing and play guitar. He was an avid fisherman and liked to go for the big ones in Canada. He hunted deer in Taft with his boys and hunting buddy, Jim Weiss. They also had a successful moose hunt. Jerry served as an Elder at First Presbyterian Church in Gordon WI. He attended Salem Lutheran in Hermantown and Union Congregational in Avon Park. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; and his in-laws, Arnold and Lillian Peterson. Jerry is survived by his wife of 62 years, Donna (Peterson); sons, Danyl (Kathleen) and Jeffery (Jean); grandchildren, Nathan (Elizabeth), Tyler (Jennifer), Colton (Anna Stauber), Adam (Danielle Lawler), Evan (Brittany), and Alexandra Keller (Joseph); great-grandchildren, Noah, Lillian, William and Alexander; brothers, Larry, Ralph (Kerrie), and David (Brende); and many friends and extended family. The family would like to give special thanks and our love to all who cared for Jerry at Heritage Haven; you are the best! They also want to thank the Essentia Hospice team, especially "Bill from hospice". A heartfelt thanks to all who took the time to visit, sing a song, bring a treat, or send a card to lift Jerry's spirits while he lived at Heritage Haven. In lieu of flowers or other memorials, please do something nice for the caregivers and residents of an assisted living or nursing home facility. Visitation will be from 1 pm to 2:30 pm, with military honors being presented at 2:30 pm on Monday June 29th at Sunrise Funeral Home, 4798 Miller Trunk Hwy. Due to the limitations caused by Covid-19 concerns, a private memorial service will be held after the military honors.

Visitation

JUN 29. 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM (CST)

Sunrise Funeral Home and Cremation Services & Cemetery 4798 Miller Trunk Hwy Hermantown, MN, 55811

Military Honors

JUN 29. 2:30 PM (CST)

Sunrise Funeral Home and Cremation Services & Cemetery 4798 Miller Trunk Hwy Hermantown, MN, 55811