Jerry Wavrin

Jerry Wavrin 89 of Wyoming, Minnesota, loving Husband, Dad, Grandpa & Bumpa, peacefully entered Heaven on January 7, 2024 surrounded by family. Jerry was an admired, influential teacher, willing servant to church, community, and country, outdoorsman and never-ending jokester. He was defined not only by his achievements, but by the extraordinary quality of his character; known for his patience and kindness, sure to grace you with a quick smile and a twinkle in his eye. Jerry was born June 28, 1934, the son of Louis and Anne (Koehn) Wavrin. With his mother passing when Jerry was twelve, his father raised him, and his six siblings, single-handedly as the town barber in Edmore, North Dakota. Hearing their small town stories was always a favorite pastime whenever family gathered and will be told for years to come. Upon high school graduation at 17, with his dad’s permission, Jerry joined the United States Air Force where he was a Technical Sargent stationed in Rapid City, SD as an aircraft mechanic during the Korean War. He was very proud of his service to country, often seen in his Air Force ballcap so that he could strike up a conversation with other vets. After his service, he pursued his Education Degree at Mayville State University where he met Sylvia Sather whom he later proposed to under a tree right there on campus. They married in August 1960 in Sylvia’s hometown of Fertile, MN and were blessed with three children, nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Jerry dedicated his life to family, church, and his beloved career of teaching, starting out his first three years in Gilby, ND before receiving a Scholarship from the National Science Foundation to begin his Masters of Education in Bowling Green, OH. They then moved to Minnesota when Jerry accepted a Math and Science educator position with the Forest Lake School District in the Fall of 1964. He later finished his Masters Degree + 60 at St. Cloud State University. His kind and patient demeanor, and way of making math easy and fun, was his trademark – with his famous bridge-building contest and “Willie Everlearn” character often at the top of test papers. A few of his most memorable achievements, which earned him in the district's Hall of Fame, were bringing the first computers in for student use, creating the first computer lab out of a refurbished storage closet in Central Junior High, where he also helped establish the first accelerated math curriculum. Jerry was born to teach. He loved catching up with former students who often stopped him around town to say hello. When not in the classroom, the teaching and mentoring didn’t stop. Whether taking summer camping trips with the kids or coaching youth sports, he always used fun ways to teach. With his kids or grandkids, using card games and cribbage to teach math skills; hunting, fishing, or searching for agates to learn the skill of patience. Family Cabin Week was a beloved time spent together each summer where Grandpa Jerry held a fishing contest where many games were played and laughs had. Preceded in death by parents, Louis & Anne Wavrin; siblings, Wayne (Dorothy) Wavrin, Loyce (Art) Nygaard, Clarene (Robert) Schledorn, Dona (Orris) Erickson, Ronald Wavrin, Lova (George) Ivesdale. Survived by loving wife of 63 years, Sylvia Wavrin; children, Jeff (Missy) Wavrin, Joni Kroska, Jill Grindahl; grandchildren, CJ Kroska, Mitchell Kroska, Travis (Mery Aranda) Kroska, Matt (Jessica) Schneller, Meghan (Nik) Simon, Anna (Eduardo Alvarez) Wavrin, Robby Wavrin, Emilie Grindahl, Ryan Grindahl; great-grandchildren, Desmond Simon, Harper Simon, Leif Kroska; sister-in-law, Mary Wavrin; many nieces, nephews, other relatives & friends. A celebration of Jerry’s life will be held 11 AM Saturday, January 20th with visitation beginning at 9 AM at Faith Lutheran Church, 886 North Shore Dr., Forest Lake. The service was recorded here. Memorials received will be directed to: Faith Lutheran Church, Forest Lake American Legion Post 225 or a Jerry Wavrin Mathematics Teaching Degree Scholarship.