Jeryl "Jerry" Lavern Van Der Pol

Jeryl  "Jerry" L. Van Der Pol, age 77, of Raymond, passed away unexpectedly Friday afternoon, February 26, near Montevideo from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.

A celebration of life service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, June 28, at the Raymond Christian Reformed Church.  Interment will be at Fairview Cemetery in Raymond with military honors.  Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Sunday, June 27 at the Raymond Christian Reformed Church and will also continue for one hour prior to the service.  Arrangements are with the Tri-County Funeral Home in Prinsburg.  www.tricountyfuneral.com

Jeryl LaVern Van Der Pol, age 77, was born on October 13, 1943 in the family farmhouse between Raymond and Willmar, MN to John and Violet (Marcus) Van Der Pol. They were unable to get to the hospital that day because of a bad snowstorm.  Jeryl was the third of what would eventually be eight children. Jeryl attended Priam Country School until 7^th grade and then transferred to Central Minnesota Christian School attending until 8^th grade. In 1964, he enlisted in the US Army serving with the 7^th Battalion, 16^th Field Artillery as a cook in West Germany until he was honorably discharged in 1966. He then worked for Berghuis Construction operating heavy equipment. He helped build highways and commercial buildings in west central and southern Minnesota including Interstate 90. He met his future wife, Mary Jane Vonderharr, at the unemployment office in Willmar where she was employed. She finally said yes to a date on the third try. Jeryl and Mary were married at Willmar Christian Reformed Church in Willmar, MN on July 15, 1972. They began dairy farming near Spicer, MN in 1973. In 1976, they moved back to the farm that Jeryl grew up on to farm and raise pigs. They continued to farm until 1980 when financial difficulties forced them to stop farming. Farming was Jeryl’s one true passion in life. He then gained employment as a welder and worked for several different manufacturing companies including Willmar Manufacturing, Agco, and Redball making farm equipment until his retirement. Jeryl was known for his mechanical skill, particularly welding, and didn’t hesitate to use those abilities to help others. One of his proudest accomplishments was designing and building a snowblower out of an Owatonna swather and having the project published in Farm Show magazine. He was a member of Raymond Christian Reformed Church. He enjoyed going on organized tours having taken tours to Alaska, Hawaii, and the Pacific coast.

 He is survived by his children Jeff (Carisa) Van Der Pol of Kennewick, WA, Brian Van Der Pol of North Mankato, and Jodi (Shawn) Autrey of Eight Mile, AL. Also surviving are grandchildren Grant Van Der Pol, Isabella Autrey, Lydia Van Der Pol, Katherine Autrey, and Violet Van Der Pol and brothers and sisters Shirley Van Kley of Peoria, IL, Gary Van Der Pol of Atwater, Duaine (Marlene) Van Der Pol of Montevideo, Leon Van Der Pol of Crystal, Debra Van Der Pol of Hastings, and Randall Van Der Pol of Prinsburg in addition to many nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his wife Mary Van Der Pol, his parents John and Violet Van Der Pol, and his brother Alden Van Der Pol.

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