General Information
Full Name: Gerald Joseph Caduff
Date of Birth: January 20, 1939
Date of Death: January 26, 2014
Gerry’s life story
Gerald Joseph Caduff
A resident of Prior Lake, Gerald Joseph Caduff, age 75, entered eternal peace late Sunday evening January 26, 2014, at Mala Strana Assistant Living, in New Prague, MN. The Mass of Christian Burial will be on Thursday, January 30 at 11 am, with visitation starting at 9:30 am, all at the Church of St. Michael 16311 Duluth Avenue, Prior Lake. Father Tom Sieg will preside. Gerry will be laid to rest at a private family burial, at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, MN, with full military honors provided by the Fort Snelling Memorial Rifle Squad.
On January 20, 1939 in St. Paul, MN, Gerry was born to parents John and Lillian “Lill” (Worshak) Caduff. Gerry’s childhood years were spent growing up in Prior Lake. He was active in 4H, where he raised and showed cattle. He earned nothing less than a blue ribbon while showing. At the 1952 Minnesota State Fair, Gerry earned a Grand Champion Award. Attending school at the Prior Lake High School, he loved to drive his Model A and later graduated to a 65 Chevy.
Leaving school his senior year, Gerry enlisted in the United States Marines Corp. He proudly served as a rifle instructor at Camp Pendleton from 1956-1959, when he was honorably discharged as a Lance Corporal. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal on two occasions. Gerry completed his education and earned a GED while in the service. Gerry was a career and dedicated employee at Lehigh Cement Company from 1965 until he retired in 2001.
In 1967, Gerry married Terryle Siebenaler and they had two children together, Kevin and Michelle. They went their separate ways in 1988. Gerry had a tremendous amount of pride in his children and would talk your ear off telling you all about them. He was an avid outdoorsman, who loved fishing, hunting, snowmobiling and golf. Gerry was a gifted marksman. He loved going up north with the Mahowald clan for opening fishing weekend and even fished on occasion during those outings. Gerry carved ducks, made custom fishing rods, collected guns, and loved the bullfights in Mexico. He enjoyed 3D movies in the privacy of his own home and spending time with friends and family. There was nothing that brightened his day more than a visit from his kids or grandkids or taking a drive out to Mahowalds, in his Cadillac for a glass of Kool Aid and two slices of cheese. It was these simple things later in life that contributed to Gerry’s love of life and his tremendous will to survive as evidenced by his last days with us.
Deeply missed and remembered always by those who loved Gerry, two children Kevin (Lisa) Caduff of Zimmerman, Michelle (Mark) Lawson of Dilworth, grandchildren, Macy, Joey, Miranda, Christian and Brittney; great-grandson, Bentley; siblings; Ed (Kathy) Caduff of Bemidji, Judy (Bernie) Mahowald of Prior Lake, Janice (Lee) Seurer of Prior Lake, Larry (Pat) Caduff of New Market; numerous nieces, nephews, and friends, both old and new.
Gerry is preceded in death by his father and mother, John and Lill Caduff and his nephew John Lee Seurer.
Pall bearers for Gerry will be Bob Mahowald, Mark Mahowald, Barry Mahowald, Shari Mertens, Greg Seurer, and Chris Caduff.
The Caduff family is served with honor, care and compassion by Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Prior Lake Chapel. www.ballardsunderfuneral.com
Visitation
When: Thursday, January 30, 2014, 9:30 – 11 am
Location: Church of St. Michael
Address: 16311 Duluth Ave SE
Prior Lake, MN
Service Information
When: Thursday, January 30, 2014, 11 am
Location: Church of St. Michael
Address: 16311 Duluth Ave SE
Prior Lake, MN
Interment
Fort Snelling National Cemetery
Minneapolis, MN
