General Information
Full Name: F. Jerry Giles
Date of Birth: July 17, 1940
Date of Death: May 1, 2013
Jerry’s life story
F. Jerry Giles
On July 17, 1940, at the family farm in Savage, MN, Flavian Jerome Giles was born to parents Henry and Elizabeth (Bogart) Giles. The youngest of fourteen children, Jerry lost his father, at the age of four months. At the age of 11, Jerry’s family moved to Eyota, MN. There he enjoyed hunting rabbit and raccoons. Throughout the years, Jerry was known to have this mischievous and persuasive personality. He could anyone to do just about anything, even if it was right or wrong.
Excelling at basketball, Jerry was a star player for the Eyota High School basketball team. In 1960, he was awarded the all state and all conference champion, for scoring 343 points in a single year. Jerry was a proud graduate of the Class of 1960, from Eyota.
Most of Jerry’s career was spent crafting cement and operating heavy equipment. For over 25 years, he worked for Arnold Beckman Construction Company. Adventuring out independently, Jerry repaired the cement needs of the local cities. He enjoyed landscaping, operating the Bobcat, working with cement, digging up and planting of trees and plants and anything else that would come his way. Jerry loved to work and being outside creating masterpieces.
While attending a wedding dance, Jerry met the love of his life, Mary Ann Kuboushek. Courting for five years and engaged for only six weeks, Jerry and Mary were married on July 30, 1971 at the Church of St. Michael in Prior Lake, MN. As a couple, they enjoyed the country life, on their hobby farm raising beef cattle. Jerry and Mary enjoyed relaxing, fishing and boating at their lake property in Danbury Wisconsin and most recently at their cabin in Cannon Falls.
Sunday afternoons were spent cheering on Dale Earnhardt JR in a NASCAR race, while other nights Jerry worked in the pits for his nephews at the stock car races in Elko and at the Dakota County fair demolition derby’s. His family was his greatest passion, especially his nieces and nephews. Throughout the years, Jerry treasured attending their activities, taking them hunting and fishing and was always right there to support and guide them.
A kind and understanding man, Jerry was always easy going, had a great sense of humor and loved to tease. At the age of 72, Jerry passed away peacefully at his home in New Market, MN in the early afternoon hours of Wednesday, May 1, 2013, with his loving family present, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Deeply missed and remembered always by those who loved Jerry, wife of 41 years and best friend, Mary; sister, Joan (John) VanDiver of Burnsville; special Goddaughters and many other family and friends.
Jerry is preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Elizabeth Giles; sisters, Mary Pyland, Irene and Ginny Giles; brothers, George, Dell, Ray, Lee, Pete, Ed, Joe, Marv and Doug.
Pall bearers for Jerry will be his high school basketball teammates, Gary Bowman, Newell Eddy, Jim Ihrke, Bob Randall, and Verne Shea; along with close friend, Dr. Bob Davison.
The visitation will be on Sunday, May 5, from 3-7 pm at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home 4565 Pleasant Street SE, Prior Lake and one hour prior to the mass at the church. The Mass of Christian Burial will be on Monday, May 6 at 11 am, at the Church of St. Michael 16311 Duluth Avenue SE, Prior Lake. Pastor Tom Sieg will preside. Jerry will be laid to rest at St. John’s the Baptist Catholic Cemetery in Savage, MN.
The Giles family is served with honor, care and compassion by Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Prior Lake Chapel. www.ballardsunderfuneral.com
Visitation
When: Sunday, May 5, 2013, 3-7 pm
Location: Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home
Address: 4565 Pleasant Street SE
Prior Lake, MN 55372
There also will be visitation at the church 1 hour prior to services.
Service Information
When: Monday, May 6th, 11 am
Location: St. Michael’s Catholic Church
Address: 16311 Duluth Ave
Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372
Interment
St. John’s Catholic Cemetery
Savage, MN
