Jerome Orril Glenna, 89, Highland, MN
Our beloved Jerome Orril Glenna was born July 26, 1934, at his home in Highland, MN to Olga (Flattum) Glenna and John Glenna. He peacefully went to be with Jesus on January 18, 2024, surrounded by his family. He loved being in the country and remained in Highland until the age of seven. The bombing of Pearl Harbor changed their lives drastically, bringing about many hardships that forced the family to relocate to Winona. Jerome’s first language was Norwegian, thus he had to learn English when his family moved to a larger town. He was the youngest of six children. His oldest brother Floyd had a farm that he returned to every summer which held some of his happiest childhood memories.
Jerome met the love of his life Bernetta Northrup in 1954, and on June 18, 1955, they were married. In 1957 Jerome was chosen to attend the Minnesota State Patrol Academy, and he began his career in 1959. He served Minneapolis-St Paul, Thief River Falls, and in 1961 he transferred to Rochester. Jerome served on the Patrol until his retirement in 1989; he then proudly served as a Guardian Ad Litem for the 3rd Judicial District for five years. He truly loved and served each child on his caseload. Jerome was known as a calm peacemaker which was an excellent quality in his line of work.
Once Jerome was transferred to Rochester, Jerome and Bernetta built a home in Kasson where they raised their family. It was there that they welcomed son Steven Jerome and daughter Tammy Anita into their family. Jerome fondly referred to those years as the happiest years of his life. He loved being a husband and dad more than anything in the world. He took the family on yearly vacations which were treasured family times. Summers were spent with extended family, near the old homestead of Highland, camping and fishing. Jerome was known as an expert trout fisherman and taught his kids, grandchildren, and many of his nieces and nephews to fish.
Jerome was a man of many talents. As his family grew, welcoming grandchildren & great grandchildren, he found many ways to serve them all. He could build or fix anything and kept everyone’s homes and cars in good repair. He and Bernetta created the family’s most treasured memories at Christmastime each year with elaborate celebrations involving many special gifts and treasure hunts for the kids.
Jerome’s last year of life was incredibly difficult, yet it was during this time he was brought into a closer relationship with his Savior Jesus. He shared that Jesus was really there for him. He spent many hours listening to gospel music, singing, “I’ll follow my Christ who loves me so, wherever He leads, I’ll go.”
Jerome truly loved Bernetta more than life itself. He treasured and cared for her every day of their 69 years together. Jerome is survived by his beloved wife Bernetta (Northrup), son Steven and Jodee Glenna, daughter Tammy and Dean Morkassel; his 7 grandchildren Sarah Kane (Jeremy), Kimberly Andros (Jacob), Michael Glenna (Abbey), Jerome Freppert (Kandi), Amy Finley (Justin), Kristen Boettcher (Travis), Alicia Ugarte Del Rio (Evi); and 16 great grandchildren Haven, Morgan, Pierce, Gavin, Lawson, Everit, Eliyah, Roman, Cedric, Ada, Desmond, Esmaela, Harris, Ottilia, Aria, Jaxon; and many beloved nieces & nephews. Jerome was preceded in death by his mother Olga, father John, brothers Floyd, Sydney, Gilman and sisters Viola, Adeline and Lyla.
We invite you to join in celebrating Jerome’s life with his family Sunday January 28, 2024 at Fawcett Junker Funeral Home, 1476 West Broadway St, Winona, with visitation from 12-1pm. Services will begin at 1pm and luncheon will follow. Later, there will be a private interment service for immediate family at Grandview Gardens in Rochester.
Services entrusted to Fawcett Junker Funeral Home & Crematory, Winona, MN. Online condolences can be left at www.fawcett-junkerfuneralhome.com.