Gerald "Jerry" Leander Garding

Gerald “Jerry” Garding, age 74, died on July 21, 2021 at the Methodist Hospital in Rochester. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, July 30, 2021 at the Church of St. Philip. Visitation will be held from 5:00 - 8:00 PM at the church with a 7:30 PM prayer service. Visitation continue one hour prior to the services. Interment will be held in St. Gertrude’s Catholic Cemetery in Forest City. Military honors will be provided by the Litchfield Military Honor Guard. Gerald Leander Garding was born on March 22, 1947 the son of Hilarious and Evelyn (Faber) Garding in Stearns County, MN. He grew up in the Watkins area and attended the Forest City Country School and Litchfield High School. Jerry was united in marriage to Betty Keehn on August 28, 1969. Gerald served in the United States Army and Army Reserves for many years. He worked several jobs throughout his life including being a milkman, working construction, did tiling and was an over the road semi driver. He volunteered driving for the Salvation Army. Jerry loved to tease folks and have a good time joking around. He also loved to hunt especially crossbow hunting. In his spare time you could find him gardening, canning and spending time outdoors feeding animals and going to auctions and garage sales. He is survived by his wife Betty, children; Thomas (Joyce) Garding , Sandra (Scott) Krump and Michelle (Joe) Bogatzki; 12 grandchildren; 4 step grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings; Donald (Diane) Garding, Kathleen (Herb) Thielen, Roger (Judy) Garding, Karen (Luis) Chavira, Joyce (Tom) Wilson, Susan (Lynn) Vennes, Annette Oporto (and Jim), Debra Reierson and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, son Christian, brothers; LeRoy, Allen, Hilarious Jr. and Edwin.