Jerry W. Hams, 72, died Thursday, September 28, 2006 at Villa St. Vincent, Crookston, MN.

Funeral service will be 2 PM, Monday, October 2, 2006 at Johnson Funeral Service, Thief River Falls, MN with Reverend Gary Johnson officiating. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery, Thief River Falls, MN.

Visitation will be one hour prior to service at the Funeral Home on Monday.

Gerald Walter Hams was born on November 27, 1933 in Deerwood Township, the son of Walter M. and Laura T. (Anderson) Hams. He was baptized on July 9, 1940 at First Lutheran Church in Karlstad, MN and also confirmed at First Lutheran Church. He attended school in Karlstad, graduating from Karlstad High School in 1951.

Jerry farmed with his dad, 1 ½ miles west of Karlstad until 1973. He also worked picking potatoes, and at the Sugar Beet Plant in Drayton, ND. Jerry moved to Thief River Falls and worked at Johnson Boarding Home and did odd jobs until his retirement. He moved to Mahnomen, MN to the Human Environmental Center in May of 2000 and on July 3, 2006 he moved to the Villa St. Vincent in Crookston, MN.

Jerry enjoyed gardening, playing Bingo and driving around the country. He loved cats and dogs and loved to sing in his younger days. He was a member of Abundant Life Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls.

He is survived by one sister, Leona Haugen of Red Lake falls, MN; two nieces, Shelva Johnson of Thief River Falls, MN and Marlene (Claus) Pearson of Karlstad, MN; three great nieces: Kendra (Mike) Hutton of Manvel, ND, Marclyn (Ron) Helling of Thief River Falls, MN and Joyclyn (Terry) Englund of Karlstad, MN; two great nephews: Brent (Brenda) Johnson of Thief River Falls, MN and Jonathon (Rachel) Pearson of Karlstad, MN; great-great nieces and nephews: Brennia, Jaron, Kylan, Dalyton and Logan Englund of Karlstad, MN, Allyson, Ross and Reed Helling of Thief River Falls, MN, Isabell Pearson of Karlstad, MN, Kole, Brody and Morgan Hutton of Manvel, ND and Brooke, Breiana, Baylie, Britlyn and Braya Johnson of Thief River Falls, MN.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Laura Hams; brother, Milton; sister, Margaret; brothers-in-law, Jennings Olson, Glen Davis, Clifford Haugen and Pete Englund; and his niece, Shelvas, husband, Gary Johnson.

Family condolences may be sent at www.johnsonfuneralservice.com

SOLOIST: Greg Dally
SELECTIONS: Go Rest High on That Mountain
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: Mansion over the Hilltop and Beyond the Sunset
TAPE BY SCOTTY TORGERSON: Dwell in the House of the Lord
TAPE, BRAD PASLEY: When I Get Where Im Going
PALLBEARERS: Dean Hams, Brent Johnson, Mike Hutton, Kole Hutton, Brody Hutton and Jonathon Pearson