Obituary: Gerald Casper Almli

As received from the Reid Funeral Service and Chapel:

Family gathered to help send Jerry on his final journey to the Lord, as he passed away peacefully at Bayside Village, L’Anse on Friday, September 20th, 2024.

Gerald Casper Almli was born in L’Anse on July 21, 1950, the son of the late John and Ada (Rock) Almli. He is survived by his loving wife Jennifer (Thoresen) Almli, of Baraga, MI, son Ryan “Beezer” Almli, (Michelle) of Ft Pierce, FL, sister Corrine McGinty, of Rochester, MN, brother Dennis (Brenda) Almli of Baraga, sister-in-law Marie Almli, of Sterling, MI, former sister-in-law and good friends Helen and Dennis Salo, of Mission, TX, sisters-in-law, Nancy Shannon, and Julie Deschaine, brothers-in-law Steve Thoresen and Harold (Jody) Thoresen, as well as many nieces and nephews, cousins, and his fur baby Keeker. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Earl “Demers”, Pat, and Jack and sister Shelvey Almli, father-in-law and mother-in-law Hellie and Pearl Thoresen, brothers-in-law John McGinty and Jim Shannon, good friends, John and Carol Porter, John Budreau, and Keith and Anne Lambert.

Jerry attended Baraga High School before being drafted into the Marine Corps during the Viet Nam era, serving in Okinawa as a fuel injection specialist. He was proud to serve, and often said, once a Marine, always a Marine, “Semper Fi”.

Jerry got his employment start at Martin’s Gas Station in Baraga, he then worked for his good friend Dale Borgen at the Texaco Station in Baraga, and later managed it before going to work for the Village of Baraga, and later the Celotex Corp where he worked for many years as a maintenance mechanic, before medically retiring in June, 2003.

On November 25th, 1972, Jerry married Jennifer Thoresen at the L’Anse United Methodist Church, and they were married for nearly 52 years. They had one son, Ryan Michael “Beez” Almli. Jerry was baptized Lutheran before going into the service, but attended the Zeba Methodist Church with his family.

He was a member of the Baraga County Car Club back in the day, and a member of the L’Anse American Legion Post #144 for 52 years.

On December 18th, 1975, Jerry was involved in a terrible truck accident, leaving him with a traumatic brain injury, changing his life forever. He never fully recovered, but did the best he could and that soon brought him to Alcoholics Anonymous, where he became a grateful member, being sober for 48 years. Jerry enjoyed working on old cars, driving fast cars, (with a driving record to show for it), hunting, fishing, going for rides, listening to music, going out to eat, coffee klatches at Bay Auto Bobs, and prior to that AJ’s, watching wildlife, saunas with his faithful friend Walter Leinonen, and smoking cigarettes, which finally got the best of him.

A private graveside service and military honors will be held at a later date.

Jerry’s obituary may also be viewed and condolences sent to the family at www.reidfuneralservicechapel.com

The Reid Funeral Service and Chapel, L’Anse has been entrusted with the arrangements.