Jerry Olinger

Jerome Clement (Jerry) Olinger, 91 of Mankato, passed away Saturday, December 19, 2020 at Oaklawn Rehabilitation Center.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 23 at 1 p.m. at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Mankato with Funeral Mass at 2 p.m. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery. Mankato Mortuary is assisting the family.

Jerry was born March 21, 1929 in Mankato, MN to Clem and Marie (Spohr) Olinger. He graduated Valedictorian from Loyola High School in 1947 and from the University of St. Thomas in 1951. He was in the National Guard during college and then served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War where he attained the rank of Sergeant. He was united in marriage to Nan Traxler on September 1, 1956 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in LeCenter.

Jerry and his brother, Bob, owned and operated Olinger’s Garage, which their father Clem had started.

Jerry had many hobbies including piloting small planes, square dancing, playing cards, and traveling.

He was a lifetime member of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church. He belonged to several groups including Civil Air Patrol, The American Legion, Korean War Veterans, Circle 8 Square Dancing, an aviation club and the “Bullshippers” coffee group. He was also a charter member of the Sertoma Club of Mankato and honored for 60 years of membership.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 64 years, Nan; five daughters, Judy Born of Eagle Lake, Mary Kay (Randy) Roberts of Apple Valley, Patty (Stan) Strege of Fountain Hills, AZ, Ann (Rudy) Coleman of North Mankato and Carol (Kevin) Brady of Mankato; 8 grandchildren, Mike (Katie) Born, Tricia (Travis) Stenberg, Scott Coleman, Sara (Matt) Marble, Matt (Sarah) Strege, Katie (Greg) Carlson, Kevin Roberts, and Kristina Roberts; 9 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Elly Olinger, and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law, Chuck Born; and brother, Bob Olinger.

The family would like to thank the staff at Oaklawn Rehabilitation Center and the Veteran’s Administration in Mankato.