Jerry Melvin Holmaas, 70, of Thief River Falls, MN, died on Friday, March 17, 2023, at his residence surrounded by family.

Visitation will be on Friday, March 24, 2023, from 5 pm to 7 pm and a Prayer Service at 6:30 pm at Johnson Funeral Service Chapel, Thief River Falls, MN.

Funeral services will be Saturday, March 25, 2023, 11 am at Westaker Free Lutheran Church, Newfolden, MN.

Burial will be in the spring.

Jerry was born to Stan and Ruby Holmaas on May 26, 1952 in Thief River Falls. He grew up with his parents and three siblings, living behind the grocery store operated by his father in Newfolden, MN. He attended school in Newfolden and graduated from Newfolden High School in 1970. Over the early 1970s, he continued his education at the Association Free Lutheran Bible School in Minneapolis, Northland Junior College in Thief River, and Moorhead State University. Feeling the call of God, he then attended the AFLC Seminary in Minneapolis and the Lutheran Brethren Seminary in Fergus Falls before going to graduate school at Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL. His studies eventually earned him a Master of Divinity and a Masters in Hebrew and Old Testament. Following his schooling, he served as a pastor for 15 years in Toronto, SD; Ottawa, IL; and Chassell, MI. After this, he accepted a position teaching Hebrew and the Old Testament at the AFLC Seminary and Bible School for 14 years before moving back to the Thief River Falls area. Even after retirement, he continued his ministry by teaching a small group Bible study at St. Bernard's in Thief River.

In addition to his lifelong service to the Lord, Jerry enjoyed many other interests, including music, books, and motorcycles. He was an obsessive fan of Bob Dylan, attending numerous concerts over the years with like-minded Dylan fans in his family. He loved books and reading, never passing up a good bookstore and enjoying thousands of books across his lifetime. And he was passionate about motorcycles, what he liked to call his "therapist." Over the years, he loved to ride and bond with friends along the way.

Jerry is survived by Ruth, his wife of 48 years, and his son and daughter-in-law, Luke and Rachel Holmaas of Madison, WI. He is also survived by his siblings Marlene (Phil) Rokke, Wanda (Kevin) Spading, Russ (Vickie) Holmaas, his brothers-in-law Tim Gunderson, Dan (Yvonne) Gunderson, David (Karen) Gunderson, sister-in-law Pat (Mike) Williams, and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and other relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents, Stan and Ruby Holmaas, his parents-in-law, Reuben and Amy Gunderson, and his cousin and dear friend "Brave Dave" David Lindstrom.

Westaker will livestream the service for Jerry, click on the link below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yHOho3JIXg