Jerome James Workman

Mankato Mortuary 1001 North Riverfront Drive Mankato, MN 56001 507-388-2202 Jerome "Jerry" James Workman, Sr. was born June 1, 1926 in Little Falls, Minnesota. Jerry was raised in Young America, Hutchinson and Glencoe, Minnesota before moving to Mankato over 75 years ago. A celebration of Jerry's life will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, January 17, 2015 at Hosanna Lutheran Church in Mankato with Rev. Steve Kosberg officiating. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery in Mankato. Visitation will be held one hour before the service at the church on Saturday. Mankato Mortuary in charge of arrangements. After graduating from Mankato High School in June of 1944, he enrolled in the Mankato Teacher's College and with his many natural gifts played basketball for the college, but by December, 1944, had a different calling, to serve his country. He accepted an appointment to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in King's Point, New York and served on the S.S. West Wind, a C-3 Cargo ship and the Alcoa Puritan II in the Pacific Ocean. Upon conclusion of the war, Jerry returned to Mankato Teacher's College and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in education. On August 27, 1949, Jerry married his beautiful bride, Louise Sladek at a ceremony at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in New Prague. Jerry began his teaching career in the Cleveland elementary schools and later moved his wife Louise, to Northfield, Minnesota where he taught and coached at Northfield Elementary. His outstanding teaching and creative new ideas brought him success and notice and he received, "The First Male Elementary Teacher" award. In 1956, Jerry moved his family to Mankato and used his natural teaching and coaching abilities to encourage not only his children but many of the young men of Mankato by coaching Little League in the mid 1960's and winning the City championship. Even years later, Jerry was stopped by students he taught or coached and thanked for the values in life he taught them, like sportsmanship, integrity and always giving your best - lessons they now have taken to their own families and communities. Jerry built an impressive career and in 1966, started in the estate, retirement, and insurance planning business. As a former teacher and coach, he enjoyed working with clients to help with their financial and family goals. He was an expert in farm estate and retirement planning. Books he wrote were used to teach these subjects at several local colleges where he was a frequent guest speaker. His son Tony will continue to carry on his legacy with the family business, Workman Retirement Planning. Jerry was also an animal lover extraordinaire. His beloved schnauzers over the years and poodle brought great joy to his life. His commitment to animals expanded beyond his own pets to include advocacy for homeless, injured, abandoned, and abused animals through the Blue Earth and Nicollet County Humane Society (BENCHS) and their Capital Campaign and later Building Fund. He was also an avid athlete and passionate about golf and sharing his coaching skills with family and friends. He sat on the State Board of Education, was past MSC Alumni President, was active in church, community, citizens groups and had a strong passion for politics, and was asked to run as Lieutenant Governor with Harold LeVander in 1966 but declined the opportunity. Jerry also enjoyed painting, cartooning and winning the Mankato City Lights Christmas Decoration contest when he and the family lived in West Mankato. Jerry was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He will be missed by his wife, Wegge, six children: Stephen (Terri) Workman of Virginia, Jerome Jr. (Becky) of Connecticut, Anita Workman of Rochester, MN, Becky (Mahmoud) Firouzi of Las Vegas, NV, Debbie (Gary) Guentzel of Lake Washington, Tony Workman of Mankato, 11 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, and faithful companion; his dog Berry Blue. Jerry was preceded in death by his mother, Anne Workman, North Mankato. In lieu of flowers, donation can be made to the Mankato Nicollet Humane Society (BENCHS), 1250 North River Drive, Mankato, MN 56001.