Gerald Jay Bennett

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Bennett, Gerald Jay of Slayton, Minnesota, and most recently of the Lake Minne-tonka area, passed away peacefully on November 18, 2014. He was 84 years old. Proud to have been born and raised in Slayton, Jerry was an active community member and respected business owner. He and his wife, Betty, moved from Slayton to the Lake Minnetonka area in the early 2000s to be near their family. Jerry was happy to continue working in the auto industry well into his retirement as a valet at Lexus of Wayzata until 2012, where he brought a smile to both employees and customers alike. Jerry was married to his best friend for 59 years. They shared a wonderful life together, full of love, laughter, friends, family and many great trips with special friends. He was known as a loyal friend-both to his new friends and his life-long Slayton friends, and loved spending time with all of them. Jerry's greatest joy in his life was his family: his wife whom he adored and spoiled; his seven children, each with whom he had a special and unique relationship; and his ten grandchildren, all of whom he talked-and bragged-about on a regular basis. His family will remember his integrity, compassion, warmth, kindness, and unconditional love. He is survived by his wife and loving partner, Betty; his seven children, Dave, Steve (Teri), Mary, Sue (Peter), Jim, Tom and Anne; and his ten grandchildren, Erin, Andy, Katie (Brent), Charlie, Camilla, Kendra, Samantha, Carsten, Kylan and Jack. Jerry is also survived by his sister Barb (Jim) Christopherson and Betty's sister Marian Gabel, together with their children Jay, Anne (Dave), Dave (Kathleen) and Mark. The Bennett family has been deeply blessed in so many ways, and Jerry was always at the center of that. His family is at peace knowing he lived an honorable life, and was a good, proud, honest, generous, well-respected and loving man. His wife, children and grandchildren loved and will continue to love him forever. Services will be held Saturday at 7:00 pm at St. John's Lutheran Church in Mound. May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.

Published on November 22, 2014