Gerald Jay Petite

Gerald Jay Petite, 91, longtime resident of South Range, died peacefully Thursday, September 9, 2021, at home surrounded by family. He was born in Cloquet, MN, June 21, 1930, the son of Benjamin and Josephine (Wise) Petite.

He served his country honorably in the Army National Guard and the Marine Corps Reserves.

Gerald was united in marriage to Shirley Potter, December 1, 1949, and they celebrated seventy-one years of marriage before his passing.

He worked as a carman for the Soo Line Railroad for over thirty-seven years before his retirement.

Gerald was a member of Hawthorne Assembly of God church and was a former longtime member of Duluth Gospel Tabernacle. He was an avid outdoorsman and deer hunter and loved to walk in the woods and cut firewood. Above all, Gerald was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He will lovingly be remembered as a soft spoken and gentle soul and will be dearly missed.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Shirley, South Range, WI; daughters, Suzanne (Robert) Hart, South Range, WI, Elizabeth (Michael Hawley) Petite, Lake Nebagamon, WI, and Rebecca Petite, South Range, WI; sons, Scott (Peggy) Petite, Superior, WI, Jay (Maxine) Petite, South Range, WI, and Tony (Lillian) Petite, Bloomington, MN; eighteen grandchildren, Karen, Kyle, Kimberly, Rachael, Ellyse, Justin, Amanda M., Amanda G., Dianna, Taylor, Westly, Angel, Gerald, Michael, Matthew, Kara, Lauren, and Sara; and twenty-six great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his grandson, Kyle David Hart; brother, Donald Petite; and his parents.

Visitation will begin at 10:30 AM, Thursday, September 16, 2021, at Hawthorne Assembly of God, 6366 County Road E, Poplar, WI, and will continue until the 12:00 PM Memorial Service with Pastor Joe Dokken officiating.

The Lenroot-Maetzold Funeral Home, 1209 E. 5 ^th Street, Superior, is assisting the family with arrangements. To leave a condolence or sign the guestbook, please visit our website at www.lenroot-maetzold.com .