Gerald Shigley

Gerald (Jerry) Shigley, of Dawson, MN, passed away peacefully Sunday, November 29, 2020 from complications of COVID19 at Avera Marshall Medical Center at the age of 80.

A celebration of life will be held when it is safe to gather.  Arrangements are with Hanson & Dahl Funeral Home in Dawson.

Jerry was born January 23, 1940 in Dawson, Minnesota, the son of Lloyd and Hazel (Boe) Shigley.   The family moved to Northfield, Minnesota in 1953.  Jerry graduated from Northfield High School in 1958.  He married Gloria Tyler in 1959 and they had three children Paul, Mark and Karen.  He worked for Sheldahl Co. They later divorced.  Jerry moved to California in 1966.  He met Lois Stone and they were married in San Diego in 1971.  Jerry adopted Lois’ sons John and Robert.  They moved to Colorado where he worked as a ranch hand in Watkins, Co and later moved to Strasburg, Co where he ran Shigley and Sons Small Engine Repair.  Later he began long haul trucking and together they owned and operated Shigley Trucking Company.  Jerry and Lois moved to Dawson in 2000 due to her declining health, where he lovingly cared for her until her death, September 2, 2014.

Jerry was Mr. Fix it, and had many talents; fixing machinery, ranching and drove many miles on America’s highways, making friends from coast to coast along the way.  Jerry was always ready to lend a hand, was a loyal friend and had a hug for everyone.  He enjoyed shaking dice with his friends at Wanda’s Cafe.   He often visited the nursing home in Dawson and was so good to all the residents. Faith was very important to Jerry, and he was an active member of First Presbyterian Church and was on the Dawson Cemetery Board.  He shared many stories of his travels and adventures.  He will be missed by many.  

He is survived by his special friend, Mary Brodin; his children John (Susan) Shigley of Denver, CO; Robert (Jamie) Shigley of Windsor Locks, CT; grandchildren, Phoebe, Luke and Jack; Paul (Fabia) Cannon of St. Cloud, MN, Mark (Susan) Cannon of Mora, MN grandchildren, Jessica, Joseph, Connor and Stephanie (Derek); Karen Ellefson of Sauk Rapids, MN, Noah, Hannah (Andrew), great granddaughter Lauren; brothers Maynard Shigley, of Denver CO and Leroy (Carol) Shigley of San Diego, CA; sisters-in-law Carol Shigley, Beverly Batchellor and brothers-in-law; Ken Batchellor and Mike Gann and many nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death were his parents; his wife, Lois; sisters: Dolores and Phyllis Shigley, Kathy Gann; brother, David Shigley; sister-in-law, Vicki Shigley; son-in-law, Steve Ellefson; and niece, Christine Shigley.