Jerome Kaelberer

Jerome Theodore Kaelberer, 87 of Truman passed away at  Mayo Clinic Health System in Fairmont surrounded by several loving family members on June 11, 2026. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 23, at St. John’s Lutheran Church-Antrim, rural Truman, with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5–7 p.m. on Monday, June 22, at Lakeview Funeral Home in Fairmont and will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday, June 22. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St. John’s Lutheran Church-Antrim, rural Truman. Lakeview Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Fairmont is assisting the family with the arrangements. www.lakeviewfuneralhome.net
Jerome was born in North Dakota, the second son of Theodore and Selma Kaelberer. He grew up in a small rural community near Hannover and graduated from New Salem High School. He met the love of his life in college and graduated from Concordia Teacher’s College in Seward, Neb. He touched many lives in his classroom during his 45 years of teaching. He did much more than just teach in his years at Antrim and at South Branch where he taught for most of his career. He was a well-respected coach and was always involved in sports and outdoor activities. He was an organist and pianist and played for more church services and special holiday services than could be counted. He also greatly influenced the lives of his children and grandchildren by sharing his passion for the outdoors. When Betty needed time away from the six children, I am sure she sent him out on many fishing adventures with the kids, even sometimes when he didn’t really want to go. His outdoor skills were a perfect balance for Betty’s passions for indoor games, scrapbooking and cooking. The two of them raised six children and many grandchildren in a tremendous way and three of those children followed in their steps of sharing God’s work in the teaching profession. Several of his grandchildren will also be following in those same footsteps.
Jerome is survived by: daughters, ReNae (Bob) Tangen and their daughters, Grace (Preston) Owen, Madelyn and Clara Tangen; and Lynn (Lonny) Becker and their children, Leanna (Mat) Mahoney, Levi, Luke (Becca) Becker, Larissa and Lance; sons, Jerrold (Dorie) Kaelberer and their daughter, Mariah (Elliot) Banks; Mark (Rhonda) Kaelberer and their children, Chelsea (Kyle) Holbeck, Jesse Kaelberer (fiancee, Bridget Egan), Jordan (Kelsey) Sorensen, Maranda (Brandon) Cruz and McKenna Sorensen; Kent (Amy) Kaelberer and their children, Caityn and Ryan Kaelberer; and Jay (Charity) Kaelberer and their children, Isaac, Hannah, Esther, Mary, Noah, Eden, Chloe and Micah Kaelberer; 10 great-grandchildren, Nevaeh, Amaya and Jada Mahoney; Haiden, Aaliah and Zuri Banks; Leo and Lawrence Becker; and Sylvie and Penelope Sorenson; and three siblings, Joyce Henke, Warren Kaelberer and Edward Kaelberer.
Jerome was preceded in death by parents, Theodore and Selma; wife, Betty (married 56 years); and great-grandchild, Gabriel Becker.
His family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude and thanks to all of the wonderful personnel involved with his care from Lakeview Methodist Health Care Center where he spent his last six months before going to meet his Lord and Savior.
Thank you, my son Jerome, for dedicating your life to the Lord and the service of others. Thank you, brother, thank you, husband from your loving wife Betty. Thank you, thank you, thank you for being a great father. Thank you, Grandpa. Thank you, great-grandpa. Thank you, fisherman, and for being a fisher of men. Thank you, friend, and for all the lives you have touched here on God’s earth. Well done, my good and faithful servant. We love you and we will all miss you greatly — the family.