Gerald Hodkinson Obituary

Gerald Thomas Hodkinson, 83, of Faribault, died Monday, July 10, 2017 at Mayo Clinic Hospital, St. Marys Campus in Rochester, after a short battle with cancer.
    Funeral services will be at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Faribault on Tuesday, July 18, at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Ashley Osborn officiating.  Interment with military rites will be at Riverside Cemetery in Morristown.
    Visitation will be held at the Boldt Funeral Home in Faribault on Monday, July 17, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and also at the church on Tuesday for one hour prior to the service.
    Gerald T. “Jerry” was born on Nov. 21, 1933 to George and Helen (Murphy) Hodkinson in Rochester.  He graduated from Rochester High School in 1951 and was drafted and entered the U.S. Army serving from 1953-1955 at Fort Sill and Fort Leonard Wood.  In October 1953, Jerry married Shirley Adler in Rochester and they later divorced.  On May 2, 1970 he married Barbara Opem McLay at the Little Brown Church in the Vale, Nashau, Iowa.  She preceded him in death on July 22, 2006.
    Jerry is best known for being a "baker” entering the business at the age of 11.  He owned and operated the Preston Bakery in the 1960’s and was a co-owner of the Drive In Bakery in Rochester.  He was employed throughout his bakery career at Elshoff Bakery, Home Bakery, Silver Lake Bakery (Piggly Wiggly), Hy-Vee of Faribault and Sullivan’s in Burnsville.  He was the bakery manager of Nelson’s in Faribault for 25 years and worked the last six years at the Fareway Bakery in Faribault.  He was still working until the last few months when he became ill.
    Many people will remember Jerry and his passion and devotion of motocross racing.  He was a starter and flagger for many years at many different racetracks in the Midwest.  Jerry enjoyed old time music and a good polka dance.  He was an avid Minnesota Twins fan and for many years served as a baseball coach.  He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and for many years was active in the Jaycees. Jerry was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Faribault.
    He is survived by his friend, Lorraine Dudley of Faribault; his brother, Donald (Becky) Hodkinson of Chatfield; sister-in-law, Ardella Hodkinson of Rochester; five children, Vikki ( Tim) Stankey of Janesville, Dennis (Pat) Hodkinson of Chattanooga, Tenn., Thomas (Dorle) Kaase of Racine, Traci Kaase of Austin and Heidi (Brent) Ronning of Papillion, Neb.; three stepchildren, Marie (Todd) Severson of Lake City, Jerry (Lisa) McLay of Bloomington and Robin McLay of Faribault; seven grandchildren, Heather, Christopher, Brittany, Kaine, April, George and Darby; 10 stepgrandchildren, Justin, Alison, Angie, Joshua, Lydia, Noah, Zachary, Elizabeth, Barbie and George; 18 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and special friends from his bakery and motocross career. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Dale (Hook) Hodkinson; his wife, Barbara; one son, George Hodkinson; and one stepgrandson, Patrick Sheehan.
    Visit www.boldtfuneralhome.com for information and guest book.