Gerald Alexander Grover (1918-1989)
Jerry was elected captain of his high school football team and, at a time when the University of Minnesota's Gophers were ranked #1 in the nation, he was offered a full football scholarship. Jerry declined. He wasn't much for school or big cities, and all he really wanted out of life was to be a farmer.
He left for the Army in April, 1941 and was serving in Texas when Pearl Harbor was attacked. He maintained the guns in Oakland California until early 1945 when he was transferred to Europe. He was processed out of the Army in January 1946.
Jerry returned home to a very different world. His mother, favorite uncle, and grandparents had all died during his absence. His best friend had been killed in WWII, and the girl he had hoped to marry had married someone else. All of that had a profound impact on his perspective and attitude toward life.
In 1950, Jerry married Ruby Alm. They had dated off and on before the war and the relationship was renewed when he returned home. They had two children.
Jerry and Ruby retired to their lake home on Big Twin Lake near Frazee MN in 1985. He enjoyed great friendships, fishing and working in his fully equipped woodshop. He died of cancer on May 4, 1989. Ruby died in 2002. They are buried in Concordia Lutheran Church Cemetery, rural Glyndon MN.
