Jerry Frantsen

Jerry Frantsen was born on July 1, 1939, in Heron Lake, Minnesota to Clifford and Catherine (Jeppesen) Frantsen. He received his early education in country school and later graduated from Windom Public Schools in 1957. Jerry went to the University of Minnesota to further his education. On February 11, 1959, Jerry was united in marriage to Merriell Jean Larson in Tucson, Arizona. This marriage was blessed with three daughters, Kim, Kris and Kelly. After marriage, Jerry and Merriell lived in Arizona for a short time before moving to Indiana where Jerry did auto body work. They moved to Minneapolis and Jerry worked at various dealerships. In the fall of 1969, Jerry and Merriell returned to Windom. Jerry and his brother Keith opened Frantsen Body Shop. In the early 1970's, Jerry began what turned out to be his greatest love--racing sprint cars. Within a short time, he brought Keith into the sport. This evolved into Frantsen's Racing as he had lost interest in auto body repair. In time, he realized that he no longer was able to maintain two cars and dedicated himself to "wrenching" for Keith. He had a colorful career in racing until 1986. In 2008, Jerry was inducted into...[more]

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e Jackson Racing Hall of Fame. For the next 20 years, Jerry fabricated classic truck bed parts. On December 30, 2005, Jerry was diagnosed with stomach cancer and battled the disease courageously until passing away Sunday afternoon, March 28, 2010, at the age of 70. He was a member of the American Lutheran Church in Windom. He enjoyed fishing, gardening, playing cards and spending time with his family. Jerry is survived by his wife of fifty-one years, Merriell Frantsen of Windom; mother, Catherine Frantsen of Mt. Lake; three daughters, Kim Wester (Michael) of Westbrook; Kris Nielsen and friend Tracy DeJaynes of Fairmont; Kelly Anderson (Gary) of Windom; four grandchildren; one great-grandchild; one brother, Keith of Windom, and one sister, Cheryl Peacock (Michael) of Elk River; and several nieces and nephews Jerry was preceded in death by his father and one sister, Janice.