A celebration for the life of Gerald Boklep, 81, of Barrett, MN, formerly of Cottonwood, will take place from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. on Friday, November 19, 2021, at the Sunset Funeral Home in Echo, MN. A private family interment will take place at a later date.
Gerald Henry Boklep was born on January 26, 1940, in Echo, MN, to Henry and Hazel (Schmidt) Boklep. He grew up, attended school and graduated from Belview High School. Gerald served in the U. S. Army and was honorably discharged in 1964. On March 22, 1980, he was united in marriage to Brenda Schmidt at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church in Redwood Falls, MN. The couple lived and made their home in Cottonwood. Gerald worked for Ross’s Lumber Company in Cottonwood, later for Northwest Pipe Fitting in Marshall, and then as a Postal Carrier for the U.S. Postal Service. Gerald was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping and spending time with his grandchildren. After suffering a stroke in 2008, Gerald was cared for attentively by his loving wife until moving to the Minneota Manor in January of 2021. Recently, he moved to the Barrett Care Center in Barrett, MN, to be closer to family.
Gerald died on Friday, November 12, 2021, surrounded by family at the Barrett Care Center in Barrett, MN. He is survived by his wife, Brenda, of Hoffman, daughter Debbie Kurtzbein of Montevideo, son Eric (and Jamie) Boklep of Hoffman, daughter Heather Boklep of Cottonwood, son Andy (and Jen) Boklep of Wood Lake and son Tyler Boklep (and special friend Angel) of Parkers Prairie, MN; grandchildren Shea, Keshia, Gaven, Carter, Brooklyn, Stella, Sienna, Austin, Harper and Beau; five great-grandchildren, siblings Kay (and Sandy) Boklep, Ivan (and Karen) Boklep and Diane (and Charlie) Haag, mother-in-law Elizabeth Schmidt, eight in-laws, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings Donna, Bill, Galen, a stillborn sister, father-in-law Ralph Schmidt, brothers-in-law Mike Simning, Will Lucas, and nephews Chad and Michael.