Jerome enjoyed roller skating and old-time dancing in his younger years, but never let a late night of fun affect his next morning milking chores. He loved farming, especially milking Holstein dairy cows, and shared these experiences with his family. He listened to Boone and Erickson on WCCO radio in the barn each morning and always caught the farm markets on KDHL, the Faribault radio station started by his brother. As the second generation on the farm, he was proud to earn the Century Farm designation in 2009.
He was a lifelong member of First Lutheran Church in Ellendale. He valued his extended family and longtime friends and enjoyed frequent visits.
He is survived by his wife, Evelyn; daughter, Jodie (John) Tvedt of Byron, Minn.; son, Eric (Snow Wang) of Sunnyvale, Calif.; daughter, Krista (Larry) Hardyman of Belmont, Wisc.; grandchildren, Anna Hardyman, Logan Hardyman, Sophia Lee, Caleb Tvedt; sister-in-law, Ethel Nodland of Waseca, Minn.; and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents and his siblings: Ardis (Noel) Thompson, Esther (Floyd) Johnson, Pearl (Russell) Anderson, Oriet (Harold) Johnson, Irene (Emery) Hokanson, Kia Marcella and her twin sister (in infancy), Herbert (Elaine) Lee, Bernice Lee.
In lieu of flowers, Memorials are suggested to First Lutheran Church youth director fund, Ellendale Food Shelf, Lutheran World Relief, or donor’s choice.