Gerald Melvin Bollman

September 2, 1935 - March 30, 2021

Gerald Melvin Bollman, age 85, of Dassel, died Tuesday, March 30, 2021, at his home. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 3, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. at the Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Dassel with the Rev. Hollie Holt-Woehl officiating. There will be a time to gather on Friday evening from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Dassel. In Lieu of flowers donations are preferred to go to the Gethsemane Lutheran Church, Dassel, Dassel Historical Society, or Ecumen Hospice in Litchfield. We ask that those who wish to attend the time to gather with the family on Friday evening and memorial service to use mask and social distancing. Gerald Melvin Bollman was born on September 2, 1935 to Melvin and Lillian (Mattson) Bollman. Jerry, as he is better known, was confirmed at Dassel Covenant Church and graduated from Dassel High School in 1953. After graduation, he worked on a ranch in Montana for two fall seasons. When he returned to Dassel, he bought a milk truck and worked for Dassel Coop Dairy hauling canned milk; he also hauled fuel for Russ Bjork. Jerry proposed to his sweetheart, Ann Anderson, on Swede Mountain on Christmas Eve, and they were married March 4, 1956 at Gethsemane Lutheran Church. They lived in an apartment in Dassel for a short while before moving to the country north of Dassel. When Jerry bought the Standard Oil business, they moved into town on 1st Street where they lived for 48 years. During that time he and Ann raised three children – Keith, Kurt, and Sara. He retired from the oil business in 2002. Jerry served his church, his family, and his community his entire life. He served on the Dassel Fire Department for 26 years, where he was fire chief for 10 years. He also served as Mayor of Dassel for 12 years. In addition, Jerry worked on the Dassel Red Rooster Days Queen’s committee, concessions, and in the pits. He volunteered on the Dassel Nursing Home Board, the Meeker County Park and Rec Board, Gethsemane Church Council, and other committees at Gethsemane. He helped start the Cookie Brigade for Gethsemane’s military friends and initiated the building of faith chests for baptisms here at Gethsemane. He was also an active part of the Dassel History Center. For his many years of service, Jerry was honored to receive the Meeker County Volunteer Award. Although he was always active in the community, Jerry’s joy came from his grandchildren; he loved attending their events and talking with them about happenings in their lives. Jerry died as he spent most of his life – with his sweetheart and best friend by his side. Although he will be greatly missed, he leaves us with a legacy of family, volunteerism, and work ethic. Well done, good and faithful servant. We love you and we will miss you deeply. Jerry is survived by his loving wife, Ann; his three children, Keith (Kim) Bollman of Hutchinson, Kurt (Barbara) Bollman of Fargo, and Sara (Greg) Nelson of Dassel; his grandchildren and apples of his eye Rochelle (Scott) Ament, Ryan (Kristi) Bollman, Alex (Megan) Bollman, Sam (Kayla) Bollman, Isaac (Amanda) Nelson, Luke Nelson, and Sydney Nelson; his great-grandchildren Paxton and Bridger (Rochelle’s), Harper (Ryan’s), Carson, Bennett, and Everett (Alex’s), and Isaiah, Isabella, and Adelyn (Sam’s). Jerry is preceded in death by his parents, Mel and Lil, and his sisters Jeannette Jacobson of Rockford, Il and Lois DeLisle of Florida.