Obituary of Gerald Leroy Berndt

Memorial services for Gerald L. Berndt, 70, of Spirit Lake and formerly of Jackson, Minnesota, will be held Saturday, August 20, 2016 from 5:30 - 8:00 PM at Trinity Lutheran Church Discipling Center in Janesville, Minnesota. Gerald Leroy Berndt was born on September 24, 1945, and raised in Janesville, Minnesota. After graduating from Janesville High School in 1963, he spent three years in the Navy (serving in Vietnam) before attending Mankato State University. He later married, moved to St. James, Minnesota, and had two children, Katie and Tom. In 1988, Jerry's family moved to Jackson, Minnesota, where he formed his own wholesale music distribution company, Toka Distributing. Jerry was a dedicated father and spent many years coaching his children's sports teams and attending their events. After selling his business, Jerry worked as a sales representative before moving to Okoboji, Iowa, and working in the gift industry. Jerry loved spending time with others, telling jokes, and playing golf and racquetball. He was a beloved son, brother, father, and grandfather. Jerry died shortly before his seventy-first birthday at his home in Spirit Lake, Iowa. He is survived by daughter Katie Sohn; son Tom Berndt; brothers Bill, Duane, Doug, and Mark Berndt; sister Julie Schuneman; and grandchildren Matt, Emily, Brooklyn, Oscar, and Kaylyn. He was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Florence Berndt. A memorial service in his honor will be held from 5:30-8:00 PM at the Trinity Lutheran Church Discipling Center in Janesville, Minnesota.