John Jerlow

May 23, 2015

New Richmond, Wisconsin

John Albert Jerlow died peacefully on May 23, 2015, at Comforts of Home Memory Care in Hudson, Wisconsin, comforted by his son Steve and granddaughters. John was born on May 26, 1926, in Carthage, South Dakota, to Odean and Mildred (Quinby) Jerlow. As a child, he attended rural school in Carthage Township and graduated from Argonne High School in 1944. John farmed on the family farm in Green Valley Township and then started to work road construction with his uncle Hugo Schulz in Lakefield, Minnesota. He returned to farming in 1946 and in 1948 did REA electric work. John married Annis (Prunty) Jerlow on November 1, 1949, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Carthage, South Dakota. Following their marriage, John farmed in the Carthage area before moving to Lakefield, Minnesota, in 1958 to operate Hugo Schulz’s farm. He returned to road construction with his uncle in 1960. In 1965, Hugo Schulz Road Contractor, Inc. bought its first hot mix plant, and John was the superintendent until 1973 when he and longtime friend and fellow employee Lloyd Kruse purchased the business from Hugo Schulz. In 1984, John retired from road construction and sold out to Lloyd Kruse. John was involved in many building and business projects in Lakefield and the surrounding area. He built Pump ‘n Pantry, the first convenience store in Lakefield, and owned and maintained several buildings and apartments, including the Coast to Coast and Post Office. In partnership with Lloyd Kruse, John was also instrumental in developing Crescent Beach and Arthur Heights in Okoboji, Iowa, and Annis Avenue in Lakefield; it was named as a lasting tribute to John’s wife Annis. In 2001, Jerlow & Kruse Construction purchased a bean field and built the FSA building in Lakefield. During his years in Lakefield, John was always very active in the community and was dedicated to giving back. He was a member of the school board, Commercial Club, Jackson County Zoning Board, First State Bank Board, Light and Water Commission, and Kiwanis Club. He was also a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, serving for a time as Congregational President and Trustee, and providing support in many ways since the church’s dedication in 1958. John is survived by his sister Bette Swenson; his two sons Thomas Jerlow and John Steven (Sabrina) Jerlow; his three granddaughters Alison (Jeffrey) Simison, Alanna (Michael) McNamara, and Alyssa (Joseph) Kruschke; and his four great grandchildren Carter and Clara Simison and Evan and Lila McNamara. He will also be missed by countless other friends and family members who were lucky enough to know him. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, his brothers Richard Jerlow and Vernon Jerlow, and his wife Annis Jerlow. A visitation will be held from 10 to 11 A.M. on Tuesday, May 26, 2015, at CULLEN CREA FUNERAL HOME in New Richmond, Wisconsin. A memorial service will be held at 11:30 A.M. on Saturday, May 30, 2015, at BETHLEHEM LUTHERAN CHURCH in Lakefield, Minnesota, with a catered meal to follow. In memory of their beloved grandpa, John’s granddaughters are walking in the 2015 Walk to End Alzheimer’s in New Richmond, Wisconsin, on September 19, 2015. In support, the family requests that memorial gifts be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Wisconsin, 2900 Curry Lane, Suite A, Green Bay, WI, 54311.