Gerald Lee “Jerry” Petry, 73, passed from this life on Dec. 12, 2014, at the Brendan House in Kalispell, after a lengthy battle with Parkinson's disease.
Gerald was born May 26, 1941, in Ferdinand, Indiana, to Alvin and Ardella Petry. He was the eldest of 11 children. Jerry had many fond memories of his family and growing up in Indiana.
At the age of 17, Jerry and his brothers moved to Glendive, Montana. His parents and other siblings followed soon after to live in Glendive. Jerry graduated from Dawson County High School in Glendive. Not long after graduating, Jerry and his family moved to Kalispell. He worked at the C & C Plywood Company and went on to become an electrician.
Jerry met Jennifer Karstetter in 1965, at the Park Inn, in Kalispell. At the time, Jennifer was working at the telephone company and Jerry was in the Army National Guard. It was love at first sight! Gerald married Jennifer Alice Elaine Karstetter six months later on Aug. 7, 1965, at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Whitefish. Together they made their home in Kalispell and raised three daughters.
Jerry served four years active duty in the U.S. Army and was a member of the Army National Guard as well. He saw duty locally during the Evergreen flood of 1964, and helped fight the Glacier National Park forest fire in 1968. Jerry loved where he lived in Montana and was always a proud American. Jerry was an electrician at Columbia Falls Aluminum Plant for over 20 years. He had a very strong work ethic, never missing a day of work! Jerry loved all music but was especially fond of country western and Elvis Presley. Jerry enjoyed bowling on a league in his younger years. Jerry and his family attended St. Matthew's Catholic Parish. He also loved hunting, reloading, fishing, camping, boating and riding trails on his motorcycle. He loved spending time outdoors bicycle riding, ice-skating and hiking. Jerry was a very talented carpenter and enjoyed remodeling his home and building a garage and wood shed. He also made furniture. He could build and repair anything. He enjoyed watching football and baseball. Jerry was an avid reader and also liked playing cards, especially cribbage. Jerry loved birds of all kinds and enjoyed watching the eagles in Glacier National Park.
The family would like to acknowledge how thankful they are for the amazing staff and the wonderful care Jerry received during his time at the Brendan House.
Jerry was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. He will be greatly missed, but never forgotten.
Jerry was preceded in death by an infant sister, Patricia Petry; brothers, Eugene Petry and Alvin Petry Jr.; and his parents, Ardella and Alvin Petry.
Jerry is survived by his wife, Jennifer Petry of Idaho Falls, Idaho; daughter, Ann Muth and husband Bob of Whitefish, and grandchildren Ocala, Deagan, Dillon and Dawson; daughter, Paula Kindel and husband Kenny of Eureka, and grandchildren McKenna, Jakeb and Joey; and daughter, Mary Brown and husband Abram of Idaho Falls, and grandchildren Claira and Adalyn. Jerry was especially proud of his family. He would light up whenever he was around them! Jerry was a proud husband, father and papa of nine grandchildren. Jerry is also survived by his four sisters and three brothers, Mary Hegel of Kalispell, Ken Petry of Columbia Falls, David Petry of Kalispell, Lucy Sterling of Columbia Falls, Alan Petry of Columbia Falls, Deb Cislo of Kalispell, and Darlene Vincent of Oregon; along with numerous nieces and nephews.
A celebration remembering Jerry's life will take place at 4 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 23, at the Canvas Church in Kalispell.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Brendan House or to the Parkinsons Foundation. Friends are encouraged to visit our website at www. buffalohillfh.com to leave notes of condolences for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory caring for the family.