Gerald M Holmberg

Gerald (Jerry) M. Holmberg Jr, 85, passed away on Wednesday December 30, 2020 in a Hot Springs
Nursing home. He was born in Detroit, Michigan on April 28, 1935 to Gerald (Jerry) M. Holmberg Sr and
Victoria Rose (Niedziela) Holmberg. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the Army Aviation’s
132nd Engineer Aviation Brigade at Wolter’s Air Force Base in Texas. After his service in the military,
Jerry returned to Michigan where he fell in love with and married Mary Jean (Keller) Holmberg. They
were married for 54 years until her death in September of 2014. His employment included working in
his family’s hardware store in Hamtramck, MI, working at a paper mill in Alpena, MI, and working at the
General Motors Plant in Arlington, TX.
Because Jerry grew up in Niedziela Hardware Store, he knew a lot about home maintenance and
construction. He was able to fix anything. He put his construction knowledge to use by building his
home in Royal, AR. Jerry loved animals and as a child and young adult, he loved to ride horses. He also
loved dogs raising, training, and breeding German Shepherds, Siberian Huskys, Great Danes, and
Mastiffs over the course of his life. In later years he even fostered a dog.
Jerry was a loving husband, taking care of his wife Jean for many years before her death. They were
married over 54 years. He was a loving son, protective brother to his sisters especially his younger sister
Carolie, a loving and supportive father to his children, and proud “Papa” to his grandchildren and great
grandchildren. When his son Alan became ill from carbon monoxide poisoning, he took care of Alan and
visited him every day while Alan was in a nursing home. Jerry was a positive person and even though he
had many health struggles, he always had a smile on his face despite being in pain. He exercised most of
his life and he learned to use strengthening exercises and yoga to ease his pain. He did not complain
but tried to look on the bright side of any situation. He loved talking to people. His conversations and
his supportive attitude will be missed by his family. His strength and determination were an inspiration
to so many. Jerry will be greatly missed.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Mary Jean (Keller) Holmberg, his sister Donna
(Holmberg) Niemiec, and his son Alan J. Holmberg. He is survived his sister Carolie (Holmberg) Martin of
Southgate, MI, his children Cindy (Boyce) Wofford of Alma, AR, Vicki (Kevin) Ferros of Loudon, TN, and
Joe (Andrea) Holmberg of Sapulpa, OK, his grandchildren; Jerry Wofford, Jake (Sarah) Wofford, Austin
(fiancée Christine Scott) Wofford, Zack Wofford, Michael Holmberg, and Brittany Scott plus his great
grandchildren; Etta, Hudson, Brylee, and Briggs.
Donations in memory of Jerry can be made to the Human Society of the United States at
humanesociety.orgmemorial-donations or the American Cancer Society at donate3.cancer.org
The family will have a private memorial service to be scheduled at a later date.