Gerald "Jerry" Trom, age 82, of Ulen, MN, died Friday, September 4, 2015, in Viking Manor Nursing Home, Ulen, with his wife by his side.

Gerald Dwain Trom was born September 23, 1932, the son of Selmer and Myrtle (Hellerud) Trom on a farm near Hendrum, MN. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Hendrum. At the young age of nine, he went to work on the farm for his uncle and continued farming for the rest of his life, except for his term of duty in the United States Army for two years. After his honorable discharge, he went back to farming while working at the American Crystal Beet Plant in Moorhead. In 1957, Jerry purchased a farm east of Hitterdal, MN, and that's where he continued to farm until his retirement in 2006. Even after retiring, Jerry was very much involved with the farm. On April 4, 1987, Jerry was united in marriage to Virginia Wang at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ulen. They made their home on the farm until April 1, 2002, when they moved into Ulen.

Jerry was a diversified man and over the years he was in partnership of the John Deer dealership in Hawley; the Syre Fertilizer Plant; the Silver Spike Restaurant & Motel in Dilworth plus ownership of the Belmont Motel in Moorhead and the Heritage Heights Apartment in Washburn ND. Jerry was past Commander of the Hitterdal American Legion as well as being a member of the Eagles and Elks clubs. Jerry had a passion for farming and enjoyed seeing young farmers get started in that industry. His favorite pastimes included going to casinos and visiting with his friends over many cups of coffee.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Virginia (Gini) of Ulen; children, Brenda (Gale) Fraser of Las Vegas, NV, Susan (John) Klevgaard of Felton, MN, Scott (Kelly) Wang of Dilworth, MN, Sandra (Ross Perrin) of Fargo, ND, Sheila (Dean) Bentley of Twin Valley, MN, Steve (Wanda) Wang of Ulen, MN and Sally (Dan) Christenson of Dent, MN. He is also survived by 22 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and a brother, Chester Trom of AZ. He is preceded in death by his parents and a sister.

Funeral Services were held Thursday, September 10, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. in Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Ulen. Visitation was one hour prior to the service at the church. Officiating was Pastor Mike Rueckert with Carol Lockhart serving as organist and Susan Green serving as pianist and vocalist. Special music was provided by Eli Bentley, Dan and Ian Christenson and Mandy Halland. Pallbearers were Eugene Bergee, Gale Bergee, Niles Bjerke, Scott Wang, Steve Wang, John Klevgaard, Dean Bentley, Dan Christenson and Roger Stumbo. Military honors were provided by the Dilworth, Moorhead and Ulen VFW Post #1223 and the MN National Guard Honor Guard. Honorary pallbearers were all of his grandchildren, great-grandchildren and life-long best friend, Roger Viker.

Interment was in North Bethlehem Lutheran Cemetery, Ulen.