Please click on the video tribute below to view Gerald's funeral and burial services.

Gerald William Arends, 82, Perley, MN, left this world peacefully on February 9, 2025 at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, ND. Gerald was born on September 9, 1942 to George and Leona (Brommenschenkel) Arends in Ada, MN.

Gerald attended High School in Borup, MN where he enjoyed playing sports and graduated in 1960. Gerald stayed in the Borup and Perley areas working with his father on the home farm, and also worked at the American Crystal Sugar Company in Moorhead, MN.

On August 19, 1967, Gerald and Irene (Thom) Arends were united in marriage at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Ada, MN. Gerald and Irene resided at the home farm where they raised their five children, farmed various crops and raised dairy cattle. In 2004 Gerald and Irene were honored to receive the Valley Homemaker and Farmer award. They continued to farm until 2007.

Gerald was a member of the Knights of Columbus, taught hunter safety courses and served on the Mary Township and Halstad Mutual Insurance Boards.

Over the years Gerald enjoyed hunting with family and friends and playing pinochle until late in life. Gerald also enjoyed time spent with his family and was immensely proud of his grandchildren. Many summers were spent at the lake watching them grow.

Gerald was a very good provider and worked hard to make sure his family was well taken care of.

Gerald leaves behind his wife, Irene of 57 years; their five children, Mark (Lou) Arends, Gary, MN, David (Stacy) Arends, Perley, MN, Eric (Jodi) Arends, Shelly, MN, Ann (Stephen) Olson, West Fargo, ND, and Bradley (Becky) Arends, Moorhead, MN; 14 grandchildren, Taliah (Wyatt), Grant, Rachel, and Sarah Arends, Colton (Jessi) and Steele (Elle) Armstrong and Mataya and Emmersyn Arends, Owen and Megan Olson, and Logan, Kenya, Jordan and Isabelle Arends; great grandchildren; brothers, Harold (Diane) Arends, Otsego, MN, Donald Arends, Devils Lake, MN, and Jack (Sherry) Arends, Dilworth, MN; sister, Jan Hallberg, Battle Lake, MN; and brothers-in-law, Charles Klinck, Edmonds, WA, and Earl Schlick, Mahnomen, MN.

Gerald is preceded in death by his infant son, Brian Edward; parents, George and Leona; brother and sister-in-law, Joseph and Murial Arends; sisters, Cecelia Schlick, Rose Klinck, and Carol Arends; sisters and brothers-in-law, Mary and Pete Gagner, and Bernadette and Miles Sobolik; brothers-in-law, Jim Hallberg and Charles Thom; sister-in-law, Corrine Thom; father and mother-in law, Carl and Erna Thom; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Memorials are preferred to Hospice of the Red River Valley and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Mass of Christian Burial: 11:00 AM, Monday, February 17, 2025 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Ada, MN.

Visitation: 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Sunday, February 16, 2025 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Ada, MN, with a prayer service to begin at 7:00 PM.

Interment: Town of Mary Cemetery, Rural Perley, MN.

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