Jerry Cartier

Jerry Cartier, 83, of Bemidji, MN died Tuesday, March 26, 2024 at Neilson Place, Bemidji.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m., Monday, April 1, 2024 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Wilton. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery.

On October 26, 1940, Jerry was born to Leo and Marguerite (St. Pierre) Cartier in Crookston, MN. He grew up in “The Hollow” in Red Lake Falls, MN with his parents and sister, Peggy. He was baptized and confirmed in St. Joseph’s Church. He attended school at Washington Elementary, St. Joseph’s and in 1958, graduated from Lafayette High School. At eleven years old, he delivered the Grand Forks Herald around town. He would often be late to school as he would have hot chocolate or a game of cards with customers. He was honored to win paperboy of the year award. Jerry also worked for the creamery delivering to individual houses, milk, butter, eggs and ice cream. He worked part time at Red Lake Electric Co-Op, and then, decided to further his education at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls, MN. He studied electronics. On Valentine’s Day in 1960, he joined the Air Force and had basic training at Lackland AFB, Texas. It was the Vietnam era that Jerry served 20 years. He was proud to be an American and a Veteran. He moved from the west coast to the east coast. It was in Lincoln, NE that he met his little Danish girl, Zelda, and they were married May 4, 1963 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church, Tilden, NE. In 1980, he retired from the Air Force, and he and Zelda, made their home in Bemidji, MN. He worked at Control Data until he decided to start a Driver’s Training School. After tiring of going left and right, he worked for Automated Wagering. Jerry was a devoted member of Sacred Heart Parish, Wilton, MN and served in many ways. He was proud to help plan and build the new church. He and Zelda started the blanket project and gave over 200 blankets to those in need. He was a member of the KC’s for 45 years, and enjoyed working the hotdog stand and pancake breakfasts. Jerry’s proudest moments were becoming a “Dad” and a “Grandpa”. There is no greater gift than the love of a family. He enjoyed playing cards, cribbage, hunting, fishing, Pine Lake, dancing, (especially the jitterbug), hockey, football, baseball, camping, snowmobiling, planting trees, tinkering in garage, coffee with buddies to try to solve the worlds problems, family gatherings, working at the fair booth and fishy waters. He and Zelda had many camping trips, after retirement, and they enjoyed wintering in Florida and the Florida sunsets. His two favorite sayings were, “In 20 years, you’ll never know the difference,” and “Are we there yet?”

Jerry is survived by his wife, Zelda, of 60 years, Son, Jason (Cura) Cartier, grandson, Elijah, sister, Peggy Schaupp, brother-in-law, Van Johnson, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Marguerite Cartier, parents-in-law, Raymond and Lavina Johnson, brother-in-law, Melvin Schaupp, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Wendell and Amy Johnson.

The family requests memorials to be sent to Sacred Heart Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 1897, Bemidji, MN  56619.

Fly high Jerry and touch the face of God.

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