Geraldine “Gerry” J. Oswald, 95

Geraldine “Gerry” J. Oswald, age 95, of Blooming Prairie, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on March 26, 2024, at The Cedars in Austin. Geraldine Jeannette Johnson was born on August 26, 1928, to Elmer and Edna (Dennis) Johnson on the family farm just north of Blooming Prairie. Gerry went to country school and then came into town to attend Blooming Prairie High School. She graduated in 1945 at the age of 16. Her father died later that year; it was a heartbreaking loss for the family. Gerry and her mother later moved off the farm and into Blooming Prairie. Gerry started her banking career at First National Bank in Blooming Prairie and worked there until the early 1970s. She then went to Sterling State Bank in Austin and worked her way up to Executive Vice President.

Gerry met the love of her life, Bob Oswald, and they were united in marriage on May 8, 1949, at First Lutheran Church in Blooming Prairie. The couple was blessed with two children, Robert Dennis and Leanne Rae. They built their dream home in the early 1960s in Blooming Prairie where many loving and wonderful memories were made. Gerry retired from the bank in 1990 and enjoyed retirement very much. She kept busy at church, bridge clubs, traveling, and spending time with her grandchildren. Gerry was a member of First Lutheran Church, VFW Auxiliary, Historic Hormel Home, Zonta, and Blossoms Forever.

Gerry is survived by her children, Bob Oswald, and Leanne (Roger) Hanson; grandchildren, Nick (Larissa) Hanson, Annie (Matt) Holm, Steven and Alina Oswald, and Kate (Alex) Westby; great-grandchildren, Charlie, Tommy, Carter, Cora, and Kate; in-laws, David and Dee Oswald, and Doris Oswald; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Oswald; parents, Elmer and Edna Johnson; siblings and their spouses, Allen and Dorothy Johnson, Georgianne and Orvis Toquam, Mary Alice and Patrick Golden, and Elmer Donnie and Betty Lou Johnson; and her sweet granddaughter, Julia Beth Oswald.

A celebration of her life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at First Lutheran Church in Blooming Prairie. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service. She will be buried in Union Cemetery next to her husband, Robert, and near many of her family members who have gone before her. The cemetery is just down the road from her family farm and next to Little Trinity Church where her family attended in earlier years. Worlein-Hoff Funeral Home of Blooming Prairie is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.