Gerald Bernard Kotula

Gerald "Jerry" Kotula passed away on Sunday, May 15, 2022, at the Centracare Long Prairie Hospital. Jerry was 81 years old.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Thursday, May 19, 2022, at 11:00 AM, at Christ the King Catholic Church. Visitation will take place on Wednesday, May 18, 2022, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, with a rosary at 3:45 PM and a prayer service to follow at 7:00 PM.  Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service, burial will immediately follow at the Christ the King Catholic Cemetery. 

Both visitations and the Mass will take place at Christ the King Catholic Church.

Gerald Bernard Kotula was born on November 3, 1940, the son of Ivan and Viola (Meyman) Kotula of

Browerville. Jerry graduated from Browerville High School and then enlisted in the United States Navy.

While in the Navy Jerry trained as a radio operator. Jerry came home on leave for his sister’s wedding to

be the best man. It was at the wedding that the best man was reintroduced to his sister’s best friend

and the maid of honor, miss Glennda Anderson. The two started talking and writing letters back and

forth. Their love story started 59 years ago, when Jerry got down on one knee in downtown Browerville

and asked Glennda to be his wife. They were united in marriage at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church on

October 20, 1962. Their union was blessed with five children, who blessed them with six grandchildren.

    After serving his country for six years, Jerry was honorably discharged, and returned to Minnesota.

He and Glennda moved to Minneapolis where he got a job in a toy factory. After a few years he applied

and accepted a job with the United Parcel Service, he would work for the company for the next 32

years.  While working for them they lived in Fargo, ND, and later transferred to Wadena and lived in

Staples.  The couple eventually purchased a cabin on Horseshoe Lake, where they spent their weekends

with the kids, their friends and family. Memories galore were made at the lake, including their yearly

Pig Roast Theme Parties, bonfires, tag in the yard and swimming till nighttime. Jerry was a strong

Compassionate man, who always put others first. He enjoyed his Friday night poker games and shaking

dice with the guys in the morning at the café. Jerry also was an avid hunter and fisherman, worked with

wood, taught himself how to do website design and could be seen tooling around on his golf cart. Jerry’s

favorite activity of all, was just being in the presence of his family. Often sitting back and just listening to

the chatter, taking in all the smiles, laughter and stories being told. He was the fun grandpa that loved

his cookies and enjoyed sharing (well mostly anyway) with the grandkids. A creative soul, who was fun

and loving, that is already dearly missed.

   Jerry passed away on Sunday, May 15, 2022, at the CentraCare-Long Prairie Hospital. He was 81 years

old. He is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Glennda; children, Jeff (Kim Kilde) Kotula, Tom

(Margaret) Kotula,  Amy (Brian) Tolifson, and Becky (Acen) Turner; grandchildren, Kaleb Middleton, Ben

Kotula, Brandon Tolifson, Isaac Tolifson, Ethan Tolifson and Lily Tolifson; sister, Cheryl Peterson. Jerry

was preceded in death by his son, Scott Alan Kotula; and his parents, Ivan and Viola Kotula.

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