Gerald C. Kaplan

Gerald C. Kaplan

Jere Kaplan, 85 of Aitkin died September 4, 2021 in Corvallis, Montana.  He was born March 21, 1936 to Felix and Hazel (Oerke) Kaplan in Faribault, MN. He grew up in Aitkin, MN and graduated from Aitkin High School in 1954.  Jere attended the University of Minnesota - Duluth for two years then transferred to the U of M – St. Paul. He graduated with a degree in Forest Management in 1959.  Jere was drafted into the US Army in 1959. His basic training was at Fort Ripley, Kansas followed by additional training at Fort Dix, New Jersey. He spent the rest of his 28-month commitment at Fort Holabird, The Army Intelligence Center in Baltimore, Maryland.  Following his military service, Jere received a permanent appointment with the US Forest Service. He worked on several National Forests in The West; including The Deschutes, Ochoco, Umatilla, and Wallowa Whitman during his 30-year career. Jere retired in 1993.  Following retirement, Jere lived in and developed several properties in Minnesota, Western Montana, & Oregon.  Jere had a passion for bird and big game hunting. He usually had one of his Chesapeakes or   Labradors with him.  Jere was a member of Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church in Puposky, Minnesota, the NRA,  Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and the American Legion. 

He was preceded in death by his parents Felix and Hazel (Oerke) Kaplan

and his former wife Marianne (Ereno).

Jere is survived by 3 daughters: Katrina Kaplan (Raymond Gore), Kristen Boyd (Brien Jones),

and Kelly Biondi;  4 grandsons, 2 granddaughters, 1 great grandson;  and his brother Charles Kaplan (Paula), 4 nieces, 1 nephew, and their children.

A Graveside Memorial Service will be 12pm – Tuesday, October 5, 2021 at Lakeview Cemetery in Aitkin.  Military honors will be accorded by Aitkin American Legion Lee Post #86 and Aitkin VFW Roberts-Glad Post #1727.  Arrangements are by Sorensen-Root-Thompson Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Aitkin. To leave a message of condolence please go to www.srtfuneral.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gerald C. Kaplan, please visit our floral store.