Gerald Kjellberg, Sr.

Gerald Kjellberg, Sr., age 85, of rural Fosston, MN, passed away on Thursday, February 9th, at Essentia First Care Living Center in Fosston, MN. A memorial visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 25th, at the Carlin Funeral Home in Fosston. Interment will be in Bethlehem Lutheran Cemetery, rural Fosston, at a later date. Arrangements are with the Carlin Funeral Home of Fosston and messages of condolence may be sent at www.carlinfuneral.com. Gerald Lynal Kjellberg was born on March 19, 1931 near Hallock, Minnesota to parents Oliver and Mabel Rice Kjellberg. He grew up and attended rural school in the Hallock/Halma and Grygla areas. He worked on farms in that area prior to entering the United States Navy in 1952. He faithfully served his country during the Korean and Vietnam wars.He was united in marriage to Virginia Marilyn Averill on October 9, 1959 in Las Vegas, Nevada. After their marriage, the family lived in several locations during Gerald's time in the service including Puerto Rico, Virginia Beach, San Diego, and San Francisco. Gerald spent the majority of his years on the U.S.S. Midway aircraft carrier as chief warrant officer and navigator. After he received his honorable discharge in June of 1974, they purchased a farm in Belgrade, Minnesota. In 1976 they moved to Viking, Minnesota for a short time and then settled on the farm in Queen Township in 1978. He was a dairy farmer until 1996 when he sold his herd. Virginia passed away on May 28, 1997. Gerald continued to live at the farm and raised beef cattle until the time that he was forced to retire due to health reasons. Survivors include his four children, David Kjellberg of Fayetteville, NC, Eric (Jeanne) Kjellberg of Farmington, MN, Kirsten (Larry) Lybeck of Fosston, and Jerry Kjellberg of Fosston; two grandchildren, Mary Lybeck and Benjamin Kjellberg; siblings, James (Janice) Kjellberg, Olive Schaefer, Patricia Kjellberg, and Dwight Kjellberg. Nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.He was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; one sister, Janice; and one brother, John.