Gerald Kotula

Gerald Bernard Kotula, 81, Browerville,  passed away May 15, 2022, at the CentraCare-Long Prairie Hospital.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held  May 19 at the Christ the King Catholic Church in Browerville.

Interment was at the church cemetery. 

Gerald Kotula was born on November 3, 1940, the son of Ivan and Viola (Meyman) Kotula of Browerville. Jerry graduated from Browerville High School and then enlisted in the United States Navy. While in the Navy Jerry trained as a radio operator. When he came home on leave to be the best man at his sister’s wedding, he was reintroduced to his sister’s best friend, the maid of honor, Miss Glennda Anderson. The two started talking and writing letters back and forth. Their love story started 59 years ago, when Jerry got down on one knee in downtown Browerville and asked Glennda to be his wife. They were united in marriage at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church on October 20, 1962. Their union was blessed with five children, who blessed them with six grandchildren.

After serving his country for six years, Jerry was honorably discharged and returned to Minnesota. He and Glennda moved to Minneapolis where he worked in a toy factory, applied and accepted a job with the United Parcel Service, working for the company for the next 32 years. The couple lived in Fargo, ND, transferring to Wadena and lived in Staples. They purchased a cabin on Horseshoe Lake, where they spent their weekends with the  kids, friends and family. Memories galore were made at the lake, including their yearly pig roast theme parties, bonfires, tag in the yard and swimming. Jerry was a strong compassionate man, who always put others first. He enjoyed his Friday night poker games, shaking dice with the guys in the morning at the café, was an avid hunter, fisherman, worked with  wood, taught himself how to do website design and could be seen tooling around on his golf cart. Jerry’s favorite activity of all, was just being in the presence of his family, often sitting back, listening to the chatter, taking in all the smiles, laughter and stories. He was the fun grandpa that loved his cookies and enjoyed sharing (well mostly anyway) with the grandkids. A creative soul, he was fun, loving and is already dearly missed.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Glennda; two sons, Jeff (Kim Kilde) Kotula and Tom (Margaret) Kotula; two daughters, Amy (Brian) Tolifson and Becky (Acen) Turner;  six grandchildren, Kaleb Middleton, Ben Kotula, Brandon Tolifson, Isaac Tolifson, Ethan Tolifson and Lily Tolifson and one sister, Cheryl Peterson. 

He was preceded in death by his parents and one son, Scott Alan Kotula.

Arrangements were by Iten Funeral Home in Browerville. 

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