Jerry Leone

Gerald 'Jerry' Leone, Sr. age 74 of Kensington, MN passed away on Thursday, August 14 at the Douglas County Hospital in Alexandria, MN. He made a valiant effort to live with cancer. He won the victory of everlasting life in Christ while surrounded by his loving family.
Jerry was born on December 8, 1933 to Samuel and Evelyn (Pederson) Leone in Minneapolis, MN. In 1951 he graduated from Edison High School in Minneapolis. He was united in marriage to Carole Brandt in 1952.
Jerry worked for Northwestern Bell as a splicer's helper. Jerry was drafted into the service, though he and his buddies had previously joined the reserves. He was given a choice, and proudly chose the Navy. From 1952 until 1955 he was a world traveler at the governments expense. He was honorably discharged as an Electrician and resumed telephone work in Minneapolis. He then began doing line work and eventually station and business installations. As his responsibilities grew, Jerry was again promoted to work in administration, managing over one hundred employees.
On April 8, 1984, Jerry was married to Elaine (Conant) Wainio in Crystal, MN. Jerry took a new job working for AT&T/Lucent Industries. Throughout his career, Jerry also became involved in various community service projects. He was a coach for the Cross of Glory Church youth basketball and YMCA basketball leagues for over twenty years.
When he retired in 1988, after 37 years of service, they moved to a home on Smith Lake near Osakis, MN. Throughout his lifetime Jerry contributed his time and talents to helping others. Jerry served in various community organizations, including committees and fund raising projects for Luther Crest Bible Camp. He also served as president and volunteered his time at both the Osakis Heritage Center and Douglas County Historical Society. He was very involved at the Osakis Lutheran Church. He served on Church Council, as a Trustee, enjoyed working on various fund raising committees, was a youth group leader, taught confirmation and release time as well as volunteering as the lead contractor for the church addition of a fellowship hall, kitchen, and sewing area for his special women friends and quilters.
Some of his favorite past times included dancing, traveling with his wife, children, and stepchildren. He enjoyed antiquing, fishing, pulling others waterskiing, and getting together with family and friends for some fellowship and a game of cards. In the summertime, he liked to get out on the lawn tractor, cut the grass, and take the grandchildren for rides in the red wagon behind the lawn tractor. He enjoyed spending time working on projects in the garage or to just sit and enjoy the surroundings of rural life. He was a man who willingly gave of himself to help others and was a caring and loving husband, father, grandpa and brother. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.
Jerry is survived by his wife and best friend, Rev. Elaine Leone of Kensington; 8 children, Cynthia (Gary) Terpstra of Owatonna, Doreen (Dennis) Gorghuber of Waconia, Carolyn (Tom) Workman of Chanhassen, Marsha (Don) Weidner of St. Francis, Gerald Jr. (Dione) Leone of Medicine Lake, Melissa (Ron) Moore of Alexandria, Kathryn (Dan) Brouillard of Blaine and Jamie Wainio of Brooklyn Park; 21 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; a sister, Mary Jo (Frank) Miske of Elk River and a brother, Donald (Annette) Gilles of Fridley, a sister-in-law, Mollie (Jerry) Nugent of Fridley; one niece, 4 nephews; a mother-in-law, Eleanore Conant of Glenwood; and numerous extended family and loved ones. He is preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral services were held for Jerry on Sunday, August 17, 2008 at 2:00 pm at Osakis Lutheran Church in Osakis with Rev. Ron Calvert officiating. Musicians were organist, Pat Converse and soloists, Mollie Nugent, Beth Kondrick and Darlene Hendricks and family. Interment was at the Lakeside Cemetery in Osakis. Honorary pallbearers were members of his 500 Card Club, the Osakis Heritage Center and the Osakis Lutheran Church Trustees. Active pallbearers were Jerry Leone, Jr., James Wainio, Gary Terpstra, Dan Brouillard, Tom Workman, Dennis Gorghuber, Ron Moore and Don Weidner. Military honors were provided by the Osakis VFW Post #7902.
A spaghetti dinner was held afterwards at the Osakis Lutheran Church fellowship hall with the Osakis Lutheran Women, the Nora Lutheran Women and the St. Paul's Lutheran Women (of Kensington and Lowry) helping to serve the meal.
Memorials are preferred to the Luther Crest Bible camp in Alexandria, MN.