Gerald "Jerry" Freetly passed away peacefully on January 12, 2024 in Rochester, MN. He had received last rites from Fr. Loomis and was surrounded by loved ones.

Gerald Francis Freetly was born July 22,1933 in Fulda, Minnesota to the late Glen and Anne Freetly.  After graduating high school in1950 he went on to serve in the Navy.  Following his service, he attended Dunwoody College of Technology.  He began his professional career at IBM where he worked until his retirement in 1991.  Early in his career one of his proudest professional achievements was serving as an IBM engineer for NASA working on the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo space programs.  Jerry was proud of doing his part to help the United States reach the moon.  In 1961 he met Carmela Garfalo while participating in a catholic singles group at their parish's Newman Center.  In 1962 they were married in Merritt Island Florida. They later moved to Rochester, Minnesota in 1975 where the couple lived until the passing of his wife in 1997.

After the passing of Carmela, Jerry went on to pursue a vocation as a Deacon. He was ordained in 2005 and went on to serve as a Deacon at St. John's for 15 years.  Through his work as a Deacon, he supported parish members, worked with those incarcerated, and was a help to many in the Rochester community.  In addition to serving as a Deacon, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, working on cars, and spending time with family.

Jerry is survived by his four sons – Glen (Susan) of Iron, MN, James of Rocklin, CA, Paul (Melissa), and Neil (Missie), both of Rochester, MN. He is also survived by nine grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife, Carmela, his sisters Colletta and Betty, and brother Harold.

A Funeral Mass in Jerry's honor will be held at 10:00 am on Thursday, January 18, 2024 at the Co-Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, with Bishop Robert Barron officiating. Visitation will be held Wednesday, January 17, 2024 from 4:00-7:00pm in the River Park Chapel in Macken Funeral Home and will continue one hour prior to the service on Thursday. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers please send donations to Seeds of Wisdom (sowsouthsudan.org).