Jerome Hannestad

Jerome (Jerry) P. Hannestad died at MeritCare Hospital on Monday, April 2, 2007. He was 68 years old. Jerry was born on January 23, 1939, to the late Oliver and Selma Hannestad. He grew up in Fargo and graduated from Fargo Central proud to be a member of the “Class of ‘56”. His love for sports started early in his life, playing hockey at Pershing Rink during the winter and Fargo Legion Ball during his high school years. Following graduation from high school, he joined the Army and was stationed on two different occasions in Germany. Following his discharge, he began his twenty five plus year career as a union craftsman/cement mason for TF Powers Construction. In 1965, he married Joanne Anderson. On June 28, 1975, he married Sandi Ellenson in Perley MN. They worked together during life to always provide Jerry’s children, Pam and Brent, with love and support. In 1976, they welcomed their daughter, Heather into their family. Jerry cared deeply about his family and was the kind of “Dad”, Pam, Brent and Heather knew they could always depend on. In later years, he cherished his time as “Grandpa” to Danae, Derek and Kian. Jerry left his mark on many in so many ways. His garage was his palace, a place where the welcome mat was always out and a sporting event of some sort on the TV. His creativity with concrete and his wood working abilities grace many homes. Jerry is survived by his wife, Sandi; daughter, Pam and her husband Marv Knapper and their children Danae and Derek, Breckenridge MN; son Brent, his fiancé, Lisa Torkelson and their son, Kian, Moorhead MN; his daughter Heather and her husband, Barry McKenzie, Grand Rapids, MI; a sister, Carol (LeRoy) Smith, West Fargo, ND; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, James, Richard, and Sherman; and a sister, Jean Emerson. Funeral Service: Saturday, April 7, 2007 at 2:00 PM at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Fargo. Visitation: Friday, April 6, 2007 from 5-7PM at Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service. Prayer Service: Friday, April 6, 2007 at 7 PM at Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home. Burial: Riverside Cemetery, Fargo, ND, immediately following the service.