At the age of 77, Jerry Van Sloun passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 10, 2018 at Brighton Gardens of Omaha Assisted Living in Omaha, Nebraska. He was formerly a resident of the communities of Chaska, Edina, and Shakopee, MN.
A Mass of Christian Burial honoring Jerry will be held on Thursday, April 26 at 12 pm (noon), with a visitation starting at 10:30 am, at Guardian Angels Catholic Church, 215 West Second Street, Chaska, MN. His nephew Father Michael Van Sloun will preside. Jerry’s pallbearers will be Peter Van Sloun, Tom Van Sloun, Bill Remes, John Verkennes, Mark Schommer and Rick Schommer. He will be laid to rest with other family at Guardian Angels Catholic Cemetery, Chaska, MN. Memorials are preferred and will be distributed in Jerry’s memory by the family.
At St. Francis Hospital in Shakopee, MN, Gerald John was born to parents Arthur Joseph and Rose Elizabeth (Wellens) Van Sloun. His proud parents traveled just across the Minnesota River to Chaska, MN, where Jerry grew up. The seventh of eight children, he was the brother to Jean (his Godmother), Natalie, Donna, Arthur Jr., Maureen, Mary, and Peter. Jerry attended Guardian Angels Catholic School through the eighth grade. When time allowed, he spent countless hours with family and friends being entertained in everyone’s favorite city playground…the clay hole. They occupied their time fishing, swimming and just hanging out together. Jerry furthered his education at Chaska High School. As a student, he enjoyed playing football, which began a lifelong love of the sport.
Jerry enlisted in the United States Navy, at the age of 17, with receiving special permission from his parents. He was stationed on the USS Brattleboro and served his country proudly for 2 years, 9 months and 12 days. Returning home, Jerry attended the U.S. Trade School in Kansas City, MO and studied diesel mechanics. He went in to the transportation industry and used his knowledge working his way up the corporate ladder. Most of his career was spent in management with various companies in the Twin Cities and in Omaha, NE for decades. Jerry was fortunate to retire in his mid-60’s.
In 1966, Jerry married Mary Sterk and from this union, they had two children, Douglas and Kristin. As a family, they enjoyed being outdoors. The Van Sloun family loved vacationing up north, where they enjoyed fishing, boating and taking in the sights of the area. In the late 1990’s Jerry and Mary parted ways.
In his free time, Jerry continued his love for the outdoors. He also enjoyed traveling, with his favorite designation being Alaska. He was fascinated by the rugged terrain and all that Alaska had to offer in its beauty. Jerry too was a huge football fan, especially cheering on the Minnesota Vikings and Gophers. He always followed the stock market closely and was an active trader. He enjoyed John Wayne and Dean Martin. Jerry’s career in transportation kept him interested in both trucks and cars. In his early years, Jerry also was a member of the Shakopee Knights of Columbus.
Jerry will be forever loved and missed by son, Doug (Dawn) Van Sloun; daughter, Kristin (Brian) Wickstrom; grandson, Daxton Wickstrom; siblings, Jean Verkennes, Peter (Marge) Van Sloun; sister-in-law, Lanie Van Sloun; other relatives and friends.
There to welcome Jerry home in heaven is his parents, Arthur and Rose; siblings, Natalie (Donald) Schommer, Donna (John) Remes, Arthur Van Sloun Jr, Maureen (Vince) Lonnquist and Mary (Jack) Hooper.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation to the American Diabetes Association (www.diabetes.org) or the Diabetes Research Institute(www.diabetesresearch) is welcomed.
