Obituary of Gerald Henry Carufel

Gerald Carufel was the fifth of six children, born at home in Somerset Wisconsin. Leo, Ella, Doris, Bernard, Dad, and Larry.  Born to Rosanna (Berube) Carufel and Joseph Carufel on August 11, 1922 in the roaring twenties.

He spoke French in this French community until starting grade school at St. Anne’s Church school in Somerset. Baptism, 1st Communion, Confirmation and religious holidays were important to him and his Parents.  He often spoke of swimming in the Apple River, filling bottles of white mule ( not to Rosanna’s approval ) baseball, football, Boy Scouts, dance marathons and desperadoes gangsters passing through Somerset, that he observed.  He observed many forms of bootleggers.  Alcohol, turtle, and frog legging.  He rode along as a child with neighbors to deliver different contraband as, the “feds” were less suspicious of a vehicle with a child.  He worked many small jobs to support the family during the depression, popcorn sales etc.  In Early 1941 before he graduated high school a older friend told Dad that he worked for 3M and they needed help.  He started immediately.  After Pearl Harbor he started his time in the US Army, serving with the  709 th Armored Division Tank Battalion.  While training in the 4 man tank, they were involved in night maneuvers and half of the crew was killed and two were seriously injured.  Because of this accident Dad never left the United States.  In 1946 he was Honorably Discharged, and returned to 3M.

While at 3M he met a former Navy Wave Helen Larson.   They were Married in August 1950.

Three boys were born of this union.  Roger in 1953, Rick in 1955, Ronald in 1957.  Ronald passed at 9 months.

Mom and Dad made the house on Idaho Ave on the East Side was a great home.  Great Church, cousins and neighbors abounded. Trips to Alexandria, Sturgeon Lake, and Somerset kept us all busy.

Camping, fishing, golf, and walking, were the best. 

40 years of Dads employment at 3M allowed those things to happen. At retirement Dad did lots of volunteering at various places.  Presentation as usher and funeral help.  American Red Cross, Meals on Wheels, Maplewood Community Center, and various duties at the U. S. Veterans Administration in Minneapolis.  

Mom & Dad enjoyed travel to Hawaii, Gulf Shores AL, Arizona, West Coast, and a Caribbean Trip for their fun!

Mom passed in 1996 and left Dad with a huge loss.   He traveled in the winter to many warm places.  Later, He settled in Tucson Estates in the winter, and summer in MN.  

In 2002 Dad married Betty Emerson.  No one could replace Mom,   But if I had to choose a fill-in,  Betty was that person.  She and her family were all Aces! Unfortunately Betty passed in 2007.  She and Dad enjoyed both AZ and MN. For those five years!

Dad continued to live seasonally in both states until winter was too much.  He lived at his home in Tucson Estates until he turned about 90 when he moved back to MN for more fun with children, grandchildren and now starting great grandchildren.

He left senior apartment living where he was very independent in February 2019. Next he lived at The Minnesota Veterans Home, Minneapolis.  Dad, celebrated his100 th Birthday in the park on a great summer day with family and friends.   He was with the Vets Home until March 27, 2023.   

Dad leaves two sons Roger and wife Connie, Rick.   Grandson Erick and wife Shari with their Daughter Ayda 15, Grandson Jeff and wife Shannon with their Son Dylan 11.  Granddaughter Heather Zimmer and husband Nana with children twins son Zion and  daughter Zara    2 1/2 ,  and Ezrah five weeks old.

He was 100 years, 7 months 16 days on earth, and not particularly sick.  Just getting old.

As General MacArthur stated, “ old Soldiers never die, they just fade away “

God Bless You Dad.