Gerald M. Lahr

Gerald Math Lahr, age 90, of St. Nicholas, MN passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, on August 30, 2026, at the Benedictine Living Community in Cold Spring, MN. After 90 years of farming, working hard, and helping others, Gerald has reached his eternal home. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, Burial will be in the parish cemetery. A visitation will be from 4:00-8:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 2nd at Wenner Funeral Home in Cold Spring. Gerald was born April 10, 1936, the son of Aloys and Rose (Witzmann) Lahr in Luxemburg Township, Minnesota. He attended the local schoolhouse through the eighth grade, after which he focused on helping support the family farm. In 1965, Gerald married Delores Berger, and they purchased the family farm from Gerald’s parents that same year. Together, they raised their family while operating a dairy, hog, and crop farm and building a life centered on faith, family, hard work, and helping others. Farming became Gerald’s life’s work, and he was proud to be part of a farming tradition that stretched back generations. The Lahr family farm became a Century Farm; a heritage Gerald carried with great pride. Gerald loved farming and became well known for his combines and custom-combining business. He was also an exceptionally talented mechanic who could fix nearly anything. He had a remarkable ability to figure things out without the modern tools and resources available today. If something broke, the family knew who to call. And if Gerald couldn’t fix it, it probably wasn’t worth fixing. In 1995, Gerald and Delores sold the family farm and moved to St. Nicholas, where they built a new home and, naturally, a new shed. The shed was quickly filled with a combine, other farm equipment, tools, parts, and just about anything else Gerald thought might be useful someday. The family learned that “You never know when you’ll need it” was a perfectly acceptable reason to keep almost anything. Gerald continued working as a welder after selling the farm and retired in 2010. Even then, Gerald didn’t exactly retire. He continued custom combining for several more years and stayed busy with equipment, projects, and whatever else needed doing. Gerald was a hard worker and expected the same from those around him. In Gerald’s world, if you had time to stand around, you had time to find something to do. At the same time, he was always willing to lend a hand, share what he had, or put someone else’s needs ahead of his own. Helping family, neighbors, and friends was simply part of who he was. He enjoyed fishing, bowling, hunting, and supporting the local township board. Gerald and Delores also made time to enjoy life together. In their retirement years, they could often be found on a fishing boat. They traveled, including taking cruises, enjoyed visits to the casino, and made their annual family trips to the cabin for more than 20 years. These trips became treasured family traditions, bringing children, grandchildren, and extended family together year after year. Some of Gerald’s favorite times were spent with his grandchildren and supporting them at their many activities. Gerald is survived by his wife, Delores; four children, Al (Tammy) Lahr, Don (Jami) Lahr, JoAnn (Tim) Kern, and Andy (Kris) Lahr; 12 grandchildren, Zac, Luke, Logan, Lachlan, Landon, Trevor, Tori (Nathan), Alex, Aidan, Samantha (Jon Paul), Elizabeth, and Megan; and four great-grandchildren, Lawrence, Lillian, Hazel, and Hudson; and sister-in-law Florence Lahr. He was preceded in death by his parents, Aloys and Rose Lahr; brother, Elmer Lahr; and sisters, Ardella Lutgen Flaschenreim, Genevieve Binsfeld, Delores VanHeel, Cecelia Hennen and two infant siblings. Gerald will be remembered for his love of farming, mechanical ability, strong work ethic, generous and selfless nature, and, most of all, his devotion to his family. He leaves behind a lifetime of memories, stories, and lessons, along with a family who will carry his example forward. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Gerald M. Lahr

April 10, 1936 - August 30, 2026