Gerald Walter Pelton

Gerald Pelton Service - Livestream

Gerald “Jerry” Pelton, age 81 of Shoreview, MN, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, March 31, 2025. He was born January 3, 1944 in Reedsburg, WI to Walter and Elderene (Schrank) Pelton who preceded him in death.

He will be greatly missed by his wife of 57 years Georgia (Baer) Pelton; son Michael (Tracie); grandson Graham; sister Gloria (David) Eaton; brother-in-law David (Linda) Baer. Nieces and nephews include Christi (Rick) Lawrence, Nick (Linnette) Wolfgram, Anne (Adam) Garfinkle, and Buck (Penny) Baer. Great nieces and nephews include Darby (Zach) Montovon, Brant Wolfgram, Leah and Dylan Garfinkle and several Schrank and Pelton cousins.

In his 50-year food business career, Jerry had various roles including owner/operator of a catering business, Prestige Foods, and as Culinary Arts Instructor at Willmar Technical College and St. Paul College. Many excellent chefs learned and developed under Jerry’s excellent teaching and training.

The journey began at age 17 while working as a pizza maker for the Pizza Port in Lake Delton, WI. At 18, Jerry was a waiter at Jimmie’s Dell Bar in Wisconsin Dells, WI. At every opportunity, he was in the kitchen learning all he could about the business. After graduating from Reedsburg High School, Jerry enrolled in the Chef Training Course at Madison Area Technical College (MATC), while also working at the Simon House, a prestigious supper club.

After graduating from MATC, Jerry joined Holiday Inn Hotels as an Assistant Innkeeper trainee in Appleton, WI. Over the years, Holiday Inn placed him at numerous properties including Janesville, WI; Lima, OH; Hammond, IN; and Chicago, IL.

Jerry joined Howard Johnson’s Hotels to supervise the construction of a new facility in Kalamazoo, MI while also overseeing the Howard Johnson’s facility in Battle Creek, MI.

A district manager from Quality Inn Hotels recruited Jerry from Howard Johnson’s and placed him in Knoxville, TN to manage the hotel and restaurant. While there, he was often sent to troubleshoot Quality Inn properties in Asheville and Greensboro, NC. From there he was transferred to St. Louis, MO, where he decided to return to the Midwest.

Jerry rejoined Holiday Inn Hotels and was placed in Willmar, MN to supervise the construction of the new facility and to be the Innkeeper upon its opening six months later. Because of differing business practices, he resigned from Holiday Inn.

The president of the Willmar Technical College heard of Jerry’s background and offered him a full-time teaching position. Upon completing his teaching certificate, Jerry taught Culinary Arts for 16 years until the school discontinued the culinary arts program.

Jerry quickly pivoted and created his own catering business, Prestige Foods, leasing the Willmar Technical College’s kitchen and equipment. He and Georgia partnered for ten years providing the college lunches, and excellent catering events in Willmar and the surrounding communities.

Jerry returned to teaching Culinary Arts at St. Paul College and retired after 12 years of service.

Jerry enjoyed flower gardening, music, reading, baking, garage sales, estate sales and auctions. He enjoyed time with Georgia at the cabin on the North Shore and often brought home landscape rocks to accent his beautiful flower gardens.

A memorial service will take place at Bradshaw - Celebration of Life Center, 2800 Curve Crest Blvd., Stillwater, MN, on Monday, April 14th at 11am with a visitation an hour prior. A private family burial will take place in Lutsen, MN this summer.

Memorial donations may be made in Jerry’s name to St. Croix Hospice or the donor's choice of charity.