Jerry Tepley, 85-year-old of rural Eagle Bend, Passed away on Friday, July 4, 2025, at the Lakewood Care Center, in Staples, Minnesota.

A memorial service in his honor will take place on Monday, July 21, 2025, at the Clarissa United Methodist Church at 2:00 PM. Visitation will take place at the church one hour prior to the service.  Burial will take place later that day at the Evergreen Cemetery in Browerville.

In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to the family.

Jerry John Tepley, of rural Eagle Bend, was born in Moran Township on October 22, 1939, to Henry and Rose (Sadlo) Tepley. He attended elementary school at District 160, middle school at Clarissa, and high school at Staples, graduating with the class of 1957. After graduating high school, Jerry moved to the Twin Cities, where he took a job as a glazier for Harmon Glass and obtained his journeyman’s license. On January 9, 1960, he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Wanda Leonhardt at Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, MN. The young couple bought a home in Minneapolis and had three children, Brian, Lisa, and Lori. In 1971, Jerry and his family moved to the Eagle Bend area where they purchased a dairy farm and raised their family. Jerry and his family were the recipients of several dairy awards, including Top Milk Producer. He loved driving out to his fields to keep an eye on his crops and watch them grow. Jerry was active in his community, serving on the Germania Township Board and as an election judge. He enjoyed deer hunting every fall. He also liked to golf and joined the Men’s League at Double Eagle Golf Course when it opened in 1983. Jerry was a lifelong reader and especially enjoyed Louis L'Amour novels. He taught himself how to play guitar and spent many hours playing music with his dad and brothers. In 2000 Jerry retired from dairy farming. He then began vegetable gardening and looked forward to watching his garden grow and harvesting it. He and Wanda enjoyed many RV camping trips with their friends and family. He enjoyed working in his wood shop and making repairs. He attended church at Clarissa United Methodist where he served as President and enjoyed playing his guitar and singing in the choir. Of all the titles he held in life, 'Grandpa' was his favorite. He found his greatest accomplishment in raising his family and took immense pride in his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

At the age of 85, Jerry passed away on July 4, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer, at the Lakewood Care Center in Staples, surrounded by his family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Rose Tepley, daughter, Lori Tepley, and brothers, Louis Tepley and Gene Tepley. He is survived by his wife Wanda, son Brian (Rita) Tepley, daughter Lisa (Norston) Fontaine, sisters Adeline (Chuck) Noska, Diana (Klaus) Oefele, brother Richard Tepley, grandchildren Casey (Krista) Liveringhouse, Lauren Liveringhouse, step-grandchildren, Jared (Stephany) Zephier, Derek (Britnie) Zephier, great grandchildren, Blake, Noah, Wyatt and Ruby Liveringhouse, and many nieces and nephews.

Special thanks to the Lakewood Care Center and Hospice team for their loving and respectful care during the last 3 months of his life.