MANKATO

Gerald J. "Jerry" Hillesheim, 71, of Mankato and formerly of New Ulm died Saturday, March 12, 2016 at the Oaklawn Rehabilitative Center in Mankato. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 19, 2016 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in New Ulm. Burial will be in the New Ulm City Cemetery with full military honors being conducted at the cemetery by the New Ulm Area Comrades of Valor Honor Guard. Visitation will be from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Saturday at the church. Minnesota Valley Funeral Home in New Ulm is in charge of the arrangements.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Ruthie Hillesheim; daughters, Lisa (Kyle) Scharfencamp, Navada Hillesheim and her special friend, Jerry Wear, Megan Hillesheim; six grandchildren; four great grandchildren; sisters, Arlene (Lynn) Bushard, Theresa (Doc) Hohenstein, LaVonne (LeRoy) Mathiowetz, Janet (Gary) Jacobs; brothers, Gene (Jeanie) Hillesheim, David (Lauri) Hillesheim; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Arnold and Patsy Waller. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Gerald Joseph Hillesheim was born on July 26, 1944 in Redwood Falls to Walter and Florence (Groebner) Hillesheim. He served in the U.S. Army for two years. On November 29, 2003 he married Ruthie (Waller) Hillesheim in Mankato. Jerry had lived in New Ulm for twenty five years, Hutchinson for six years, and Mankato for fifteen years. He worked at 3M, Jerry's Small Engines, New Ulm Bus Lines, New Ulm Armory, and Hutchinson Armory. Jerry was an all-around handyman. He was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Mankato. www.mvfh.org