Jerald Hickerson, 73, of Thief River Falls, MN died on Sunday, August 26, 2007 at Oakland Park Nursing Home in Thief River Falls, MN.

Funeral service will be at 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, August 30, 2007 at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls, MN with Reverend Mark Helgeland officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Thief River Falls, MN.

Visitation will be from 5:00 P.M to 8:00 P.M. on Wednesday, August 29, 2007 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls with a 7:00 P.M. Prayer service on Wednesday evening. Visitation and viewing will also be at the church for one hour prior to the service on Thursday.

Jerald Duane Hickerson was born on March 7, 1934 in Bemidji, MN, the son of Vernon Goodwin and Mary Clara (Sherin) Hickerson. He was baptized on September 25, 1942 and confirmed on August 22, 1948. Jerry attended school in Bemidji, graduating from Bemidji High School in 1952. He started working at Chief Theater in Bemidji at age 15 and also worked with his dad and brothers at 2nd Street Body Shop in Bemidji. He entered the United States Army in 1954 and was stationed at Fort Leonard Missouri. Jerry was assigned by a Colonel as a special assignments theater projectionist and was Honorably Discharged in December of 1956.

Jerry was united in marriage to LaVay Joann Albertson on May 3, 1958 in Battle Lake, MN. Following their marriage he helped build and was employed by the Hi-2 Drive In Theater in Bemidji.. Jerry also built houses in Texas and also had rental houses in Bemidji. He attended and graduated from Bemidji State University in 1963. Jerry taught High School Business from 1963-1967 in Borup and St Francis, MN. The couple moved to Thief River Falls, and in 1967 they purchased the Satellite Drive In. Later on became co-owner of the Saturn Drive In Theater in Crookston, MN. In 1973 they built the Galaxie Twin Theater and later purchased the Falls Theater. He continued to run the Galaxy Twin Theater until 2003. He also owned the Galaxie Auto and Trailer Sales.

Jerry loved to travel and enjoyed biking numerous trails in Minnesota and Wisconsin, golfing, and playing cards with his friends. The light of his life was spending time with his family and teaching his granddaughters how to splash in the mud puddles and spit and making sure they were taken care of. He was also a member of the Eagles in Thief River Falls.

Jerry is survived by his wife, LaVay of Thief River Falls, MN; one daughter, Robyn Martineau and her husband Robert of Champlin, MN; one son, Scott Hickerson and his wife, Michelle of Thief River Falls, MN; grandchildren: Taryn Pream of St. Paul, MN, Tyla Pream of Minneapolis, MN, and Brooke Hickerson and Morgan Hickerson of Thief River Falls, MN; brother, Frank Hickerson and his wife Mary of Bemidji, MN; brothers-in-law, Duane Albertson and his wife Norma of Ocean Shores, WA; and Dayle Johnson of Battle Lake, MN; sister-in-law, Vonette Busch and husband Warren of Ottertail, MN; aunt, Grace Hickerson; and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Vern and Mary Hickerson; mother and father in law, Alvin and Ruby Albertson; brother, John (Jack) Hickerson; and sisters-in-law, Janet Hickerson and Meryl Johnson.

Memorials to Caring Bridge or American Cancer Society

SPECIAL MUSIC: Paula Adamson and Greg Dally
SOLOIST: Jan Nyflot
CASKETBEARERS: Warren Busch, Dan Busch, Dayle Johnson, Tim Johnson, Duane Molstad and Marty Johnson
HONORARY CASKETBEARERS: Duane Albertson, Bud Woodard, David Erickson and all of Jerrys nieces and nephews.