Jerold A. Knaak

Jerold Alfred Knaak, age 84, of Saint James, Minnesota died on September 17, 2024, at his home.

Visitation will be on Friday, September 20, 2024, from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Sturm Funeral Home in Saint James and will continue on Saturday from 10:00 am until 11:00 am at the funeral home. Funeral Service will be held at Sturm Funeral Home in Saint James on Saturday, September 21, 2024, at 11:00 am. Interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery in Saint James. Arrangements are with Sturm Funeral Home in Saint James. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.

Jerold Jerry Alfred Knaak was born on January 23, 1940, in Saint James, Minnesota. He grew up on a family farm, eventually buying his own farm about a mile away. He married Charlotte Kelsey on June 3, 1961. Jerry had three children, and they all participated in the family farm. He liked the idea of working for himself, and loved agriculture.

When he wasn''t farming, Jerry had multiple passions and hobbies. He was a consummate woodworker and carpenter. He was self-taught and made beautiful furniture which will outlive him, providing a lasting legacy. He never used a pattern, enjoying the challenge of construction. He often promised his wife, you don''t need to buy that, I can make it for you. That was a little harder to fulfill. He passed this passion on to his children and many 4-H children making shop projects. Many children visited his workshop. He also judged shop projects at the county fairs.

Jerry took his family on many camping trips, especially to the Apple River to go tubing. He liked fishing with the family and his father and brothers-in-law at Leech Lake. He and his family also built a beautiful home on the Watonwan River for sale but was ambivalent about its ultimate sale.

He and Charlotte were devoted members of the United Methodist Church and developed lifelong friendships as a result.

Jerry was a wise, hardworking, determined individual and unafraid of a challenge. These are traits he passed on to his children. He will be missed by all who really knew him.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Hildegaard Knaak. He was also preceded in death by his sisters, Elaine Sonnabend and Shirley Bisonette; and his grandson, Nathan Knaak.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Charlotte Knaak; children, Timothy, Jay (Nancy), and Alyce Knaak-Fraley (Jon); multiple grandchildren, Joshua, Matthew, Taylor, Thomas, Timothy, Lucy, Charles, and Alix; and three great-grandchildren, Idalia, Julie Rose, and Lucas Knaak.