Obituary: Gerald Dale "Jerry" Cran

Gerald Dale "Jerry" Cran passed away on May 10, 2024. He was born in Duluth, the sixth of seven children of Cecil and Nellie Cran.

He was educated at Duluth schools, attending Ensign, Lincoln Junior High, and Denfeld High School. He attended the University of Minnesota Duluth for two years and went on to the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, where he received a degree in mechanical engineering. He married Beverly Davis, and together they began their life's journey. He had a lifelong career in the paper industry. He began at Northwest Paper/Potlatch in Brainerd and worked in a variety of engineering and managerial positions in Cloquet and Pomona, California, and retired from the Clearwater Division in Lewiston, Idaho.

He and Beverly welcomed two sons, Jonathan and David. He loved his family.

Jerry was an avid golfer and loved fishing trips with family and friends, as well as enjoying watching most sports, from youth to professional. He especially enjoyed watching his sons and grandchildren in their competitions.

He was the most wonderful husband, father, grandfather, relative, and friend.

He was preceded in death by his son Jonathan; parents; brother Jim (Betty); sisters Margie (Wally) Skadsberg, Marilyn (Gordy) Lundquist, and Ruth (Joe) Bujold; brothers-in-law, Ben Butters and Rusty Hoglund; daughter-in-law, Amy Roe; niece, Leigh Ann Bujold; and nephew, Tim Skadsberg.

Surviving are his loving wife, Beverly; son David P .; sisters Joyce Butters; brother, David R .; grandchildren, Ben Cran, Alexandra Cran and Gabriel Cran, and their mother, Denise (Chad) Sheets; Amy's children and grandchildren; and sisters-in-law, Dianne Dmohowski, Sandy Hogund and Cindy (James) Senske.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to Totino Grace High School (1350 Gardena Ave. NE, Fridley MN 55432) or St. Vincent de Paul School (9500 93rd Ave. N., Brooklyn Park MN 55445) are preferred.

Visitation: 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. Memorial Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, May 31 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary, 2801 E. Fourth St., Duluth. A luncheon will follow at the church. Arrangements are entrusted to Nelson Funeral Care in Cloquet.