Gerald ‘Jerry’ J. Bolm
ESCANABA — Gerald “Jerry” J. Bolm, 86, of Escanaba, passed away early Monday morning, Nov. 25, 2019, at Lakeview Assisted Living in Gladstone. He was born on Oct. 28, 1933, in Escanaba, the son of Harold and Alice (Monson) Bolm. Jerry was raised and attended school in Escanaba and was a 1952 graduate of Escanaba High School. He worked as a very young teenager during the summers on his uncle’s farm in Bark River where he cut cedar posts and delivered milk to area homes. After graduation, he went on to serve his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War until he was honorably discharged. Upon returning from service, Jerry worked briefly at Harnischfeger Corporation, and later ran the family business, Bolm’s Cash Store in Harris on Co. Rd. 551 until it was sold. He then took over his uncle’s mail route and was employed by the U.S. Postal Service as a mail carrier for over 40 years until his retirement on January 1, 2012. He worked early morning hours and serviced every town from Iron Mountain to Escanaba each day hauling the mail from office to office, sometimes twice a day, due to the volume of the mail. His career was completely devoted to his customers of his mail routes. From the early morning hours until after dark — he was there. Anyone who knew him knows that he was someone that many looked up to, not because he was 6’4“, but because he showed many to, “Just do it, it can be done.”
Jerry married the former Betty Ann Thorsen on Nov. 4, 1967, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Stonington and she preceded him in death on Nov. 20, 2010. Together, the couple shared 43 years of marriage. Jerry was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Escanaba, the National Star Route Mail Contractors, and the Stonington Booster Club. Jerry loved to have a perfect green lawn. Ray’s Feed Mill kept it in line, “Triple 19” and he would always say, “Give me a ton.” He was an avid Green Bay Packers fan, enjoyed spending time at their cottage in Stonington, and loved being married to the love of his life, Betty.
Gerald J. Bolm is survived by two brothers, James Bolm of Racine, Wis., and William (Janet) Bolm of Alexandria, Minn.; sisters-in-law, Carol (Bill) Hall of Glenside, Pa., Esther (Joe) Niverth of Stonington, and Shirley Heckel of Gladstone; brother-in-law, Leonard (Joyce) Thorsen of Rapid River; and several nieces and nephews.
Gerald was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Alice Bolm; and his wife, Betty Ann Bolm.
Visitation will be held from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, at the Anderson Funeral Home in Escanaba. Military honors will be conducted at 3:15 p.m. Friday in the Anderson Funeral Home Chapel by the Delta County Veterans Council.
Funeral services celebrating the life of Gerald will follow at 4 p.m. Friday at Bethany Lutheran Church in Escanaba with Rev. Terry Frankenstein officiating. A luncheon will be served at
the conclusion of the services in the church fellowship hall. Burial will take place in Lakewood Cemetery in Stonington.
The Anderson Funeral Homes are assisting the Bolm family and online condolences can be sent at www.andersonfuneralhomes.net.