Sept. 13, 1930 — May 7, 2018
Gerald F. Oxley, age 87 of Blooming Prairie, Minn., died Monday, May 7, 2018, at Prairie Manor Care Center. He was born Sept. 13, 1930, in Corwith, to Glen J. and Ruth (Gordon) Oxley.
Gerald attended country school and graduated with the Corwith High School Class of 1948. In 1949, he began his service in the U.S. Army and Air Force, serving until 1950. On Nov. 8, 1950, Gerald and Marjorie Ann Arndorfer were married at St. Benedict Catholic Church in St. Benedict.
The couple raised two daughters. They purchased a farm and moved to Blooming Prairie in 1972. Jerry loved making his living as a farmer. He retired in 2004. He and Marjorie belonged to St. Columbanus Catholic Church in Blooming Prairie, where Jerry served as a council member for 34 years and trustee for 28 years. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Hayfield American Legion. Jerry’s other interests included baseball, fishing, bowling, and dancing. He was a loyal husband, father, veteran, and Catholic. His family and friends will miss him dearly.
His wife Marjorie Oxley of Blooming Prairie; his grandson Joshua R. Skalisky of Rochester; two sons-in-law Dan Ditlevson of Prior Lake and Jim Schunke of Rochester; sisters, Mary Jane Oxley of Corwith, Glennis Green of California; sisters-in-law Phyllis Oxley of Kanawath, Marvel Oxley of Taopi; brother-in-law Patrick Garry of Chicago, Ill.; other relatives and many friends survive Jerry. He was preceded in death by his parents; daughters Rebecca and Kathleen; sons-in-law Tom West and Robbin Skalisky; brothers Robert and Richard, and sisters Margaret and Theresa; brother-in-law Robert Green.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, May 12, 2018, at St. Columbanus Catholic Church in Blooming Prairie with the Rev. Thomas Niehaus officiating. Visitation was from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., on Friday, May 11, at the Worlein Blooming Prairie Funeral Home with a 4 p.m., Knights of Columbus Rosary service and continued on Saturday morning for one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in the St. Columbanus Catholic Cemetery. Memorials can be directed to the American Cancer Society, the Lupus Foundation of America, or recipient of donor’s choice. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.