Jerome "Jerry" Andrew Best, 77, of Rural Shell Lake died, October 10, 2020, at Regency Hospital in Minneapolis. He was born August 16, 1943 in Hay River, WI to Harold Richard and Alice Fern (Larsen) Best.

Jerry and his wife Gretchen met in 1964 at the Country Dam near Amery, WI and married in ‘65. They resided in Shoreview, MN at which time Jerry was a draftsman. In 1978, Jerry and Gretchen adopted a son, Kevin, and moved to rural Shell Lake, where Jerry proceeded to become a dairy farmer for 13 years. Within his farming days, Jerry and his wife adopted their second child, a daughter named Bonita. After Jerry stopped dairy farming, he continued to do fieldwork baling and selling hay.

Jerry had many skills and careers following which included making cabinets and furniture, rewinding motors, and making cheese at a creamery. He retired in 2010. Even as a child, Jerry loved working with his hands by building and repairing items around the home and farm and that did not stop even after he retired. He enjoyed going to auctions, buying antiques, fixing old clocks, and building anything out of wood from jewelry boxes to entire buildings. He loved hunting and fishing, with bow and turkey being his two favorites. The most recent chapter of his life included anything nature related and spending time with his family, especially his three special grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife Gretchen; children: Kevin (Jessica) Best, Bonita (Bryan Hanson) Best; grandchildren: Kaleb Best, Ava Best, Jaxon Hanson; sisters: Cheryl (Wayne) Corbin, Robin (Greg) Oden; many nephews, nieces, and friends. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents and brother William “Bill” Best.

Funeral services will be held at 1 PM on Saturday, October 17, 2020, at Bone Lake Cemetery with Pastor Susan Odegard officiating. Burial will be in Bone Lake Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-7 PM on Friday, October 16, 2020, Skinner Funeral Home-Cumberland.

Skinner Funeral Home is serving the family.

Last Update: Oct 13, 2020 4:51 pm CDT