Rooney Family Tree

Birth: Jan. 4, 1928
Brooten
Stearns County
Minnesota, USA
Death: Feb. 14, 2014
Duluth
St. Louis County
Minnesota, USA

Jerome "Jerry" G. Rooney, 86, of Duluth, formerly of Soudan, died on Friday, Feb. 14, 2014, at the Benedictine Health Care Center in Duluth.

He was surrounded by his family.

He was born Jan. 4, 1928, in Brooten, Minn., the only child of James and Barbara (Gledien) Rooney. He was a graduate of Brooten High School, attended St. John's University in Collegeville, Minn., and graduated from St. Cloud State University with a BA Degree in elementary education, followed by a master's degree in School Administration.

Jerry was united in marriage to Marcella Zollar on Aug. 4, 1956, at St . Martin's Catholic Church in Tower.

He was a teacher and principal in the Tower-Soudan schools for 40 years. In 1989, a new addition to the Tower school was named after him. He was a very dedicated teacher and administrator whose primary concern was for the students that he helped to educate, always encouraging them to do their best. He spent 18 summers as an interpretive guide at the Soudan Underground Mine State Park, where he enjoyed meeting and visiting with new people.

They resided in Soudan until moving to Duluth in 2004.

Jerry enjoyed all sports. He especially loved watching his grandkids' sporting events. The last one he was able to attend was his granddaughter Marisa's 2,000 point basketball game for Duluth East High School. He also enjoyed reading, especially history.

He was a past member of St. Martin's Catholic Church in Tower, where he served as lector, usher and member of the parish council, the Ely Third Degree Knights of Columbus, the Monsignor Buh Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus of Virginia, where he was a past Navigator, and was also a member of the Retired Educators Association of Minnesota. He was currently a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church of Duluth.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Marcella, of Duluth; daughter, Yvonne (Matt) Yernatich of Duluth; and six grandchildren, Marisa, Megan and Joe Yernatich and Olivia, Morgan and Aiden Rooney.
He was preceded in death by is parents; and his son, Timothy.

Jerry's family would like to thank the caregivers at the Benedictine Health Care Center for their love and care over the past few months.

Spring burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery in Tower.