Date of Birth:
Saturday, April 9, 1932
Date of Death:
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Age:
77 years old

Gerald F. Glapa

After a long illness, Gerald Francis Glapa passed away on Sunday, August 16th, 2009 at Samaritan Bethany Home in Rochester, Minnesota.  He was 77 years old.

Jerry was born on April 9th, 1932 in Duluth to Laura A. and Charles F. Glapa.  He attended Denfield High School and graduated from the University of Minnesota-Duluth with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics.

On June 2, 1957 he married the love of his life, Janis Marie Kleine of Magnolia, MN.  They had a caring relationship based on mutual support and a deep love for each other.  Jerry was a loving father to three boys and shared with them his love of music, camping and woodworking.  A devout Catholic, he was a member of Rochester’s St John the Evangelist Church and throughout his life served his faith in many capacities.

Jerry was a kind and gentle person who loved spending time with family and friends.  He was always ready with a warm hug and there was nothing he liked better than an interesting conversation with a good friend or new acquaintance.

Jerry pursued a lifelong love of music both as a teacher and a performer.  He was a music instructor in the Adrian, Belview and Lewiston, MN schools.  He retired in 1990 after 30 years of teaching.  Jerry also performed professionally with a number of musical groups throughout the Midwest.  In addition to vocal music, he taught and played various instruments including the accordion, trumpet, trombone, clarinet, flute, and piano.  He served as either a member or director of the choir at both St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Lewiston and later at St. John’s in Rochester.  Jerry also enjoyed barbershop music, singing with the Starlight Barbershop Quartet and in the Rochester Music Men Barbershop Chorus.  With the barbershop singers,  he continued to perform in a variety of shows including appearances in parades, nursing homes, singing Valentines, as well as competitions.
Jerry is survived by Jan Glapa, his wife of 52 years, his three sons and daughters-in-laws, Michael and Alison Glapa of Menomonie, WI; Brian and Carol Glapa of Andover, MN and Steven and Sonja Glapa of Milpitas, CA; as well as six grandchildren and his sister Joan Seymour of Duluth , MN.

A funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, August 25, at  10:00AM at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church.  Friends may call from 5:00PM – 8:00PM on Monday, at Macken Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday.  Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.

Macken Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.  www.mackenfuneralhome.com