Jerry David Gorden, age 74, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Monday, January 26, 2026. He was born January 1, 1952, the first baby in Polk County that year, to parents Rudy and Alice (Meland) Gorden.

Jerry grew up in rural Climax. He attended the local school and was baptized and confirmed at Sand Hill Lutheran Church. After graduating in 1970, he went to work with his dad and they formed Gorden’s Repair at the old Climax Implement until 1977. He then started working for Larson International in Crookston as a service technician. Jerry continued working as a service technician, also working at Red Power and Titan Machinery until 2014. After retiring, he helped his neighbor and friend David Palm for several years, and then went on to work for Bjorge Bros in 2017.

Family was very important to Jerry. In 1975, he married Vivian Schindler. Her family became his own, and continued to be after her passing in 1995.

In 1998, he was united in marriage to Elaine Burdick. He was blessed with three wonderful step-children. In 2004 they moved to a country farmstead. Each year, Jerry and Elaine would take a vacation to Roanoke, VA to see Wendy, Scott, and their grandkids. One year, their travels extended to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada to visit Jerry’s cousins.

Jerry was always willing to help people out with various projects. He had a passion for history, and was a member of the Sand Hill Historical Society of Climax where he was voted historian for the society. He particularly enjoyed the history of the Civil War and World War II, and wrote a short book on Little Chicago.

Jerry is survived by his wonderful wife of 27 years, Elaine; three children, Wendy and Scott Haston of Troutville, VA and their children Braedon and Lexi, Weston and Michelle Baril of Smyrna, TN and their children Lauren, Jackson, and Maxwell, and Mike and Heather Baril of Fargo, ND and their child Summit; his brothers, Reuben Gorden of Climax, MN, Arlen (Beth) Gorden of Marshall, MN; sisters-in-law, Bert Burdick of Idaho Falls, ID, Kitsey Erickson of Loveland, CO; and family of his late wife Vivian.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Rudy and Alice Gorden; first wife, Vivian Schindler; sisters-in-law, Bonnie Gorden, Shelly Schindler; brothers-in-law, Robin Burdick, Andy Erickson; parents-in-law, Eugene and Pat Schindler, Ray and Agnes Burdick; and niece, Elizabeth Gorden Valley.

Jerry will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

A memorial service for Jerry will be held on Monday, February 2, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Sand Hill Lutheran Church in Climax, MN. Visitation with the family will be one hour prior. The service will be livestreamed, a link to which will be available at www.stenshoelhouske.com/obituaries/jerry-gorden