Gerald ‘Jerry’ Soller, 89, Belle Plaine

Gerald Soller

Gerald “Jerry” Mathias Soller, 89, died at his home Dec. 25, 2017, surrounded by his family.
A memorial Mass was held Saturday, Dec. 30, at Our Lady of the Prairie Catholic Church in Belle Plaine with the Rev. Brian Lynch officiating. Interment will be at a later date in the Schlegel Cemetery.
Mr. Soller was born May 13, 1928, in Belle Plaine, to John and Myrtle (Ridd) Soller. He later attended St. Anne’s Parochial School and graduated from Le Sueur High School in 1946. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Italy.
He met Donna, the love of his life, on a blind date arranged by their best friends, and they were married in January 1953. They lived in St. Paul and later moved to Jordan, where they raised their four children.
He worked at Union 76 Oil Company for 35 years and, in his retirement, he and his wife enjoyed traveling throughout the United States, Europe and Mexico. He thoroughly enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, being a babysitter, chauffer, tutor, cook and an “official driver’s training instructor,” attending dance lessons, attending sporting events, playing Santa Claus and was a mentor to his grandsons when hunting and fishing seasons came around, and all the other Grandpa duties that were needed.
He is survived by his loving wife, Donna, of Belle Plaine; daughter, Michele (Jim) Eiden of Glencoe; son, Mark (Cindy) Soller of Jordan; daughter, Sarah (Tom) Beckius of Belle Plaine; and son, Tim (Jean) Soller of Belle Plaine; grandchildren, Tina Soller, Marissa (Kevin) Duffy, Chris (Pam) Eiden, Zach Soller, Jake (Sadie) Beckius, Abby (Bruce) Chmielewski, Jes Stoller (Jenna), Hannah (Joel) Jerabek, Rachel (Jeremy) Meuwissen, and Mackenzie (Nick) Krohn; great-grandchildren, Greta, Maggie, Briar, Wyatt, Zoey, Wil and Elsie; sister, Mary Luther of Bristol, Rhode Island; many sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law; nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Gladys Hayden, Clara Flowers, Catherine Schuster and Rita LaBelle; brother, Roger Soller; grandson, Ben Eiden; and granddaughter, Kari Soller.
His quick wit and smile will be missed by all.
Arrangements were with the Kolden Funeral Home.