Gerald Thomas Bue

Mass of Christian Burial for Gerald “Jerry” Bue, 93, of Marshall, will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 15, 2019, at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Marshall. Visitation will be one hour prior at the church. Interment will follow the service at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Marshall. Military honors provided by U.S. American Legion Post 113 of Marshall. Gerald “Jerry” Thomas Bue was born August 4, 1925, near Clinton, Wisconsin, to Albert and Wallie (Christoffel) Bue. He grew up on a small farm, attended school in a one-room schoolhouse and ultimately graduated as valedictorian of his high school class. On his 18th birthday, he enlisted in the US Navy and was accepted into a special program for Navy pilots. He received his wings and commission just as World War II ended. Taking advantage of the GI bill, Jerry enrolled at the University of Minnesota, earning a degree in Wildlife Management. This ultimately brought him to Marshall where he became the area game manager for the State of Minnesota Game and Fish Department. Shortly after arriving in Marshall, Jerry met Francile DeReu at a wildlife feed. The two were soon married in July 1953 and raised a family of five; four boys and a girl. Jerry and Francile enjoyed their life together, as well as with their children and grandchildren, for 56 years before Francile left us in 2009. Jerry’s career took a different path in the mid-1950’s when he became the owner of Bue Lumber Company in Green Valley, where he sold building supplies and employed a construction crew. He specialized in constructing farm buildings, wagon boxes, and livestock feeders. Jerry enjoyed working with farmers in the Marshall area, many of which became lifelong friends. The lumber yard closed in 1974, but Jerry continued to work on remodeling projects in the agriculture community while pursuing outdoor interests. These interests took him to Alaska more than 60 times where he continued working in construction, now working on numerous projects with his children, including seven homes in Alaska. During this time, his sons showed Jerry much of the State of Alaska while hunting, fishing, and exploring areas off the beaten path. He even helped pilot two small airplanes from Marshall to Alaska and drove the Alaskan Highway several times. Jerry had a tremendous appreciation for the vast wilderness that made up the State and remembered those trips fondly. He tried to educate others on the importance of maintaining the resources of Minnesota, Alaska, and the rest of the world. In his later years, Jerry enjoyed growing produce in his large garden. He freely gave to neighbors, friends, and the local food shelf. After the garden was put to rest for the season, Jerry turned to outdoor activities like hunting and trapping. Fishing was always fun, and the archery deer season was a favorite when the family gathered at home for deer camp. Jerry was active in the community through donations of time and memberships in local organizations such as the Cottonwood Sportsmen Club and Pheasants Forever. Jerry also hosted the Governor’s Pheasant Opener and Pheasants Forever’s Youth Mentor program. Jerry kept a room at Morningside Heights in Marshall for the last 5 years and continued to supervise his garden, fish, participate in the hunting seasons, play cards with the family, and swap stories. We wish to thank the staff at Morningside for the wonderful care they extended to Dad and the rest of us over the years. You took great care of all of us! Thank you! A Life Well Lived! Jerry died on Sunday, February 10, 2019, at Avera Morningside Heights Care Center in Marshall. He was preceded in death by his wife Francile, parents Albert and Wallie Bue, brother Robert Schroeder, and sister Rachel Bartlett. Jerry is survived by his brother Albert Bue of Clinton, Wisconsin, his children Brian (Pam) Bue of Palmer, Alaska, Doug (Valerie) Bue of Bethel, Alaska, Fred (Kathy) Bue of Fairbanks, Alaska, Robert (Chris) Bue of Wrangell, Alaska, and Bridget (Sheriff) Ahmed of Savage, as well as ten grandchildren.