Jerry Speedling

Jerry D. Speed/p/’ling, age 73, died Friday, March 16, 2018 at Edgewood Vista in Brainerd, Minnesota. Services for Jerry will be held on Saturday, April 7, 2018 at 11:00AM at Immaculate Heart Catholic Church in Crosslake, MN with visitation beginning at 10:00AM at the church. He was born in New Richmond, Wisconsin, the son of Kenneth L. Speedling and Geraldine (Knight) Speedling on May 18, 1944.

He was raised on the east side of St. Paul, graduated from Minnehaha Academy in 1962 and attended Mankato State College and Brown Institute for computer sciences. Jerry served in the Minnesota National Guard in the 247th Military Police unit housed initially in St. Paul.

He began his computer programming profession at 3M, and during his career, he worked for Hamm's Brewery, Murphy Motor Freight and American Hoist while moving from programmer to computer system's analyst. He eventually came to work for the Sisters of St. Joseph Corondelet and began working on developing cutting edge computer systems for hospitals. He always claimed his boss, Ron Mumm, taught him everything he knew about computers in the medical field. Jerry moved to Ramsey County Hospital to help set up their computer department with his new boss, Dave Bergh. Jerry remained there through his career and the hospital’s change of ownership, retiring from Health Partner's Region's Hospital as Director of Information Systems.

Throughout his career he worked with many outstanding professionals in his field. His sage advice was to hire only the best and then step back and let them do their job. Over the years, he developed many great professional relationships and it was not uncommon to hear how much his staff loved to work for him. He respected his staff, listened to them and was quick to let them know how important they were to his team.

Jerry carried that same philosophy into everything he was involved in throughout his life. He was involved in youth basketball in Mounds View School District and helped start up the girl's traveling team program. He loved being on the basketball court to referee both the girl’s and boy’s games. This love of teaching and being with the kids, led him to the NCAA with his friend and partner, Steve Taffee. These were some of his favorite experiences in life. He and his partner were often seen in the gyms helping to educate kids, parents and spectators about the nuances of the rules. It was not unusual to have coaches specifically ask for them as refs or to be thanked after games for great officiating.

In retirement, Jerry and his wife moved from Shoreview to their home on Horseshoe Lake in Merrifield. He became active in Lake's Area Restorative Justice where he brought his same style of active listening, respecting both parties and helping the parties find resolution with dignity. He purchased his first, second and third Corvette and became a member of the Central Lakes Corvette Club where he enjoyed the other enthusiasts, as well as the road runs with the group. His retirement 'job' at Whitefish Golf Course was a dream come true. He looked forward to being there with the golfers and staff and many of these lovers of the game became good friends on and off the course. The Ryder Cup buddies still have their good times and stories to share.

One of the most rewarding periods of his retirement was serving on the Mission Township. He took a strong responsibility in serving the Township citizens and brought to this position the same active listening and negotiation skills for resolution of issues. He highly respected the Mission Fire Department and was a strong supporter of maintaining their high level of excellence and equipment.

If asked, Jerry would say that his greatest accomplishment that he is leaving behind in this world is his family. He was extremely proud of his three children, who and what they have grown to be, the spouses they have chosen in life and the seven fabulous grandchildren they have shared with him and his wife.

If asked, his family would say, Jerry was the love of his wife of 50 years, a great father who was actively involved in their activities and achievements as they grew up and a grandfather who thought his grandkids were perfect! The times and memories all have shared on the shores of Horseshoe will always be highlights of their lives.

Jerry has been an active member of immaculate Heart Catholic Church since 1983 when the family quit renting seasonally and purchased their first lake place. He has been proud to be a Eucharistic Minister and a 3rd Degree Knights of Columbus member.

Jerry will be greatly missed by his loving family as well as his many friends and associates. He is survived by his wife, Sheila; children, Ann-Marie (Doug) Mulgrew of Cottage Grove, Steven (Amy) Speedling of Stillwater and Catherine (Michael) Mellskog of Eagan; grandchildren, Elizabeth (Ellie) Speedling, Paige Speedling, Madeline (Maddie) Mellskog, Jacob (Jake) Mellskog, Abigail (Abbi) Mellskog, Lauryn Mulgrew and Nicholas (Nick) Mulgrew. He leaves behind his brother and sister-in-law, Pat and Diane Curran, nephews Christopher (Gloria) Curran, Dereck (Michelle) Curran and niece Kimberly (Clint) Mosley, great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews.

He would want to especially send his love and thankfulness to his Knight cousins and their families who he had adopted in his mind as siblings. He would want his Goddaughter, Rachael (Jeff) Klos to know she and her family were loved and how much he admired her strength and ability to move on through pain and loss.

He would thank all those who touched his heart in so many ways, especially Harvey and Nancy Hansen who were family to him, the East Side Gang - friends of a lifetime, Whitefish golfing friends, Ryder Cup friends, Corvette friends, Health Partner's friends and golfing buddies, the Mission Township Fire Department and his Horseshoe Lake friends.

Jerry lived a good life and left our world a better place because God put him here in this time and place. He was ready to shed the pain after he received the Last Rites, Apostolic Pardon and Eucharist from Father Blake Rozier and Father Paul Strommer. Jerry trusted God had better plans for him and after being able to tell his wife and kids he loved them, he went home to God, escorted by his guardian angel the family named Fred.

Our family wishes to express our greatest appreciation to the Mission Fire Department that arrived when Jerry experienced grand mall seizures on February 21st, the North Memorial paramedics, the excellent care by St. Joseph's Hospital staff, the empathetic and compassionate staff at Edgewood Vista, as well as St. Croix Hospice and Tina Johnson from Crow Wing Social Services. Thank you for our Immaculate Heart family, Father Blake Rozier, Mary Hagen, our Deacons, Barry (Jean) Olson and Jim (Rita) Kirzeder and all who held us up in daily prayer. We would not have survived without you holding our hands and walking with us through Jerry's final journey. You are all truly God's angels and messengers on earth!

Should friends desire, the family is requesting donations to your favorite charity

God Bless you.