1944 – 2024

Jerald Francis Lair passed away peacefully on Friday September 13, 2024 at the Seasons Hospice House in Rochester after a brief stay.

Jerald F. Lair

Jerry was born the son of James “Pat” and Verliss (Loftus) Lair on December 15, 1944 in Albert Lea, Mn. Jerry’s family lived near Emmons Minnesota until moving to Hayward MN in 1949. As a young man Jerry attended a one room rural schoolhouse outside of Hayward Minnesota, later attending St. Theodore’s Catholic School and Albert Lea High School. Growing up Jerry and his family spent countless hours with their 36 first (double cousins) celebrating every holiday, birthday and event that was able to be celebrated. His fondest childhood memory was of his horse Peanuts. It was the love of Peanuts and horses that led Jerry to his journey in rodeo competing in calf roping and bronc riding. His other passion was old cars, he spent countless hours cruising Broadway looking cool in his 1957 Chevy, it was with his beloved Chevy and much effort that he finally caught the eye of the love of his life Linda (Lubke) Lair. The couple were married on April 3rd, 1965, later reviewing their vows in 2002 after years of separation. They also renewed their vow at Linda’s bedside before her passing in 2015.

As a young couple Jerry and Linda were blessed with three children raising their young family in Hayward and Albert Lea MN. Jerry enjoyed deer hunting, pheasant hunting and fishing. He and his family spent many days and weeks at his parents’ cabin in Nevis MN on Lake Belle Taine. He shared his love of hunting as a firearms instructor and with his beloved son Scott. Jerry was very well known for his delicious hog roasts, traveling as far as Colorado with his roaster. He hosted and cooked many hog roasts with all his “Rowdy Friends”. Jerry loved to share jokes and make people happy.

Jerry worked many years for Wilson’s Foods as a meat cutter. After an injury no longer made that possible, he enrolled in culinary classes at the Albert Lea Vocational School. Jerry never cooked professionally outside his hog roasts, but his family sure enjoyed the skills he learned, specifically his homemade French dressing, de-boned chicken, Chinese hotdish, oyster stew, pineapple upside down cake, pumpkin bars, and his grilled steaks to name a few. After culinary school Jerry and Linda moved the family to Byron MN and later to Rochester for Jerry. Jerry hauled grain over the road for the Byron Elevator until later working locally for Road Constructors and later Paulson’s. It was while driving semi that he got his nickname (CB handle) 2-2 that he is so well known by. During the winter months Jerry spent countless hours driving snowplow throughout his life. It was in 2020 he retired.

On October 20, 2018, Jerry married Anita (Tryon) Lair. They were able to spend time traveling to Arizona, Nevada and did local trips. Jerry would occasionally act as Anita’s golf cart driver and her chauffeur to work.

Jerry is survived by his three children; Lori Lair of Owatonna MN, Scott (Brinda Borgmann) Lair of Rochester, MN and Amy (James) Rediske Decorah IA, grandson’s Josh Borgmann of St Louis Park MN, Jeramiah Rediske of Decorah IA and great grandchild Borgmann arriving March 2025; Wife Anita (Tryon) Lair and her family Charles (Shelly Aswegan) Tryon, Chris (Jessica) Freiheit, and grandchildren McKenzie Tryon and Shane Dreemur.

Siblings Tom (Valarie) Lair of Albert Lea MN, Mark Lair of Clinton, IA, Linda (Jay) Radue of Lakeville MN, Loren (Jane) Lair of Hayward MN; sister in law Linda Lair of Bloomington MN, and Kay Lair of Medford Oregan. Brother-in-Law Bill (Mary) Lubke Albert Lea MN, Sister-in-Laws MarJean (Dan) Riley of Yakima WA, and Janet (Pete) Schumacher of Albert Lea MN, as well as numerous other members of the “Lair Clan” and Lubke family.

Jerry is preceded in death by his wife Linda in 2015, parents James and Verliss Lair, siblings Denny and Jim Lair.

There will be a Celebration of Life on Sunday September 22nd from 2:00 – 6:00 pm at the Rochester Eagles Club. The family plans to share some of Jerry’s famous pork sandwiches at the celebration. There will be a moment of prayer and remembrance at 4:00 pm. A private family burial at St. Theodore’s Cemetery in Albert Lea MN will take place later.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Seasons Hospice in memory of Jerry or your choice. The family would like to express gratitude to Season Hospice for their kindness and compassionate care. He will be forever missed by many.