Gerald Henrickson
Gerald Henrickson of Staples, went home to be with his Savior on October 23, 2026.
Funeral services will be held Friday, November 6 at 11:00 a.m. at the Verndale Alliance Church with Pastor Tony Stanley officiating. Visitation will be held Thurs., Nov. 5 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Brenny Funeral Chapel in Staples and one hour prior to the service on Friday at the church in Verndale.
Gerald Wayne Henrickson was born July 24, 1950 to Wilmar and Margaret (Peterson) Henrickson in Minneapolis He grew up in Richfield graduating from Richfield High School, class of 1968. He attended Macalester College graduating with a degree in biology in 1972. That year, he married his kindergarten classmate and high school sweetheart, Debbie and began his medical training at the University of Minnesota Medical School. In 1977 he began his residency at Methodist Hospital. Upon finishing residency in 1980, he began practicing medicine in Staples. His career spanned 40 years with the Lakewood Health System, retiring in 2020.
Known as Dr. Henrickson, he loved his patients and enjoyed spending time getting to know each of them. He served generations of families in the Staples area, often having delivered both the parent and child in the maternity wing. He missed his patients after he retired, and was happy when he would see them out in the community. In his time at Lakewood, he also served as the president of his Physicians’ Association, serving his colleagues. He valued each of them and their contributions to the health of their patients and the community. He also enjoyed seeing the growth of the provider group over his 40 years of practice, starting as only the fifth doctor and helping build the institution into the large employer and care system that so many depend upon today.
Jerry loved his family and enjoyed family activities like camping, canoeing, hiking and biking. He was an avid hunter, especially out West for elk, antelope and deer with friends and his son, Nathan. Fishing with friends and family was another favorite pastime. Most of all he loved His Lord and serving Him by caring for his beloved patients.
He is survived by Debbie, his wife of 54 years; one daughter, Cory (Peter) Van Tassel, Oakland, CA; one son, Nathan, Staples; two grandchildren, Xola and Qemina; one sister, Denise (Glenn) Gono, Mililani, Hawaii; one brother, Gregg (Margaret) Henrickson, Chaska; one brother-in-law, Wesley Budke, Terrell, TX and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Diane and one nephew, Marc.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Jerry’s memory are preferred to Samaritan’s Purse and LAPS.
Arrangements are by the Brenny Family Funeral Chapel, Staples.
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