Gerald Wertish

Gerald "Jerry" Wertish, age 83, a longtime McIntosh businessman, from McIntosh, MN, passed away on Wednesday, November 21st at Riverview Hospital in Crookston, MN. Funeral services will be held on Monday, November 26th at 2:30 PM at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in McIntosh with Rev. Aage Carlsen officiating. Visitation will be held for two hours before the funeral at the church and interment will be at Our Savior's Lutheran Cemetery in McIntosh. The Carlin-Hoialmen Funeral Home, serving McIntosh is in charge of the arrangements. Sympathy messages may be sent to www.carlinhoialmen.com.Gerald "Jerry" James Wertish was born on August 24, 1924 in Troy Township, Renville County, near Olivia, MN to parents John F. and Elizabeth (Wood) Wertish. He attended rural Olivia schools and Olivia High School. On September 14, 1944, he married Bernice Higdem of McIntosh, MN in Minneapolis. In March of 1945, they moved to McIntosh and bought the Felix Café. Also in that year, he teamed with Gene Rohr and Herman Peterson of Pine River who were in the live bait business. In 1946, Jerry went on his own making it a lifelong career. On December 6, 1956, he bought the Cities Service Gas Station which would later be Wertish Oil and Bait. On December 20, 1956, Jerry married Evelyn (Heideman) Knutson. Jerry and Evelyn and the kids from both families, Orv, Diane, Jim, John, Wes and Mary worked many a long day, and for 46 years were never closed a single day. On January 1, 1992, they sold the business to Jim and Diane. Jerry liked to Hunt and fish, and was an avid gardener. His love of Dogs was also paramount.On November 21, 2007 Jerry passed away at Riverview Hospital in Crookston, MN at the age of 83 years. He is survived by two sons, Jim Wertish of McIntosh and John (Junell) Wertish of Brooklyn Park, MN; two daughters, Judy Bemis of McLean, VA and Mary (Danny) Solie of Maplewood, MN; two step sons, Orv Knutson of Tampa, FL and Wes (Linda) Knutson of Crookston; step son-in-law, Ken Amundson of McIntosh; five grandchildren, Danelle, Paula, Jennifer, Josh and Justin; seven step grandchildren, Marlo, Eric, Derek, Aaron, Sarah, Kevin and Jason; three great grandchildren; three step great grandchildren; three brothers, John H. Wertish of Olivia, David Wertish of Moline, IL and Robert (Vonnie) Wertish of Olivia; two sisters, Rosemary (Robert) Soukup of Fridley, MN and Janet Wertish of Bird Island, MN; one sister-in-law, Val Wertish of Bird Island; and many other relatives.He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Evelyn on November 23, 2003; his step daughter, Diane Amundson on December 3, 2002; step daughter-in-law, Wanda Knutson; one brother, Joe Wertish of Bird Island; and one sister, Sally Tobias of Woodland Hills, CA.