Gerald L. Smith, 92,  of Albert Lea died Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016, in Thorne Crest Senior Living Community in Albert Lea.

Born April 7, 1924, in Albert Lea, he was the son of Durin S. and S. Josephine (Ingvaldson) Smith. He grew up in the Albert Lea area and lived in Albert Lea until 1969.

Jerry and Ruth E. Nelson were married on June 17, 1947, in Trinity Lutheran Church in Albert Lea. While in Albert Lea, he worked for Universal Cooperatives, Freeborn County Co-op Oil and Western Grocery, which later became Consolidated Foods.

From 1969 to 1973 they lived in Clear Lake, Iowa, where he continued working for Consolidated Foods. In 1973 they moved to Worthington, where he worked for Sather Cookie Co. until his retirement in 1989. In 1992, they returned to Albert Lea and he worked with his son, Mark, for 17 years at Smiths Lawn Service.

Jerry was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church of Albert Lea for many years, and served on the church council. While living in Worthington, he was a member of American Lutheran Church. Jerry was a United States Marine Corps veteran of World War II, serving from May 22, 1945, to Aug. 21, 1946; and was a member of Leo Carey American Legion Post 56 of Albert Lea.

His parents Durin and Josie; his wife, Ruth, on March 4, 2009; his sons Brian on Oct. 29, 2004, and Scott on Oct. 30, 2010; and two grandchildren, Jason L. Smith on April 15, 1990, and Lisa A. Smith on Dec. 12, 2003, preceded him in death.

Survivors include his sons Durin L. (Paulette) Smith of Coleraine, Mark D. (Nancy) Smith of Glenville and Paul E. (Sara) Smith of Shakopee; a daughter-in-law, Suzanne Smith, of Sioux City, Iowa; 21 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; a brother, Donald C. (Arlis) Smith, of Albert Lea; and two nephews, Gary Smith of Hopkins and Kent (Lois) Smith of Iowa City, Iowa.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Bonnerup Funeral Service in Albert Lea and will continue from 10 until the 11 a.m. funeral service Friday at Trinity Lutheran Church of Albert Lea with the Revs. Eileen Woyan and Todd Walsh officiating.

Interment will be in Hillcrest Cemetery in Albert Lea. Military honors will be accorded by Albert Lea veterans organizations. To leave an online message of condolence, go to bonnerupfuneralservice.com.