Gerald Allen Heikkila, 87, of Cromwell passed away Oct. 8, 2021, at St. Luke's Hospital in Duluth. Jerry was born in Cromwell on Jan. 24, 1934, to George and Esther Heikkila. He was raised, and attended school, in Cromwell. On May 11, 1957, he married Wilma Wicklund.

Jerry served in the U.S. Army from 1957 to 1959.

He worked 38 years on the railroad. He started his career as a laborer for Northern Pacific and retired as a district roadmaster for Burlington Northern Santa Fe. After retirement, he and Wilma traveled all over the U.S. and spent 25 winters in Mission, Texas.

Jerry was a member of the National Association of Retired and Veteran Railway Employees and was an Eagle Lake Cemetery board member. He enjoyed deer hunting, fishing, traveling and dancing at various polka events. He was very proud of his Finnish heritage.

He was preceded in death by his parents; stepmother, Telka (Finnila) Heikkila; and sister, Jean Swanson.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 64 years, Wilma, of Cromwell; daughter, Dorine (Timothy) Houck of Esko; son, Steven Heikkila of Cromwell; grandchildren, Tim Jr. (Faith) Houck of Jacksonville, Florida, Matthew (Samantha Nelson) Houck of Esko, Evan Heikkila and Katie Heikkila, both of McGregor; and one sister, Nancy Sauer of Boynton Beach, Florida.

Visitation: 1 p.m. until the 2 p.m. memorial service Sunday, Oct. 17 at Atkins Northland Funeral Home Chapel in Cloquet. Military honors will be accorded by the Cloquet Combined Honor Guard. A luncheon will follow the service. To sign the guestbook and leave an online tribute, visit http://www.atkinsnorthlandfuneralhome.com.

Pine Knot News, Oct. 15, 2021