Jairus Meilahn, 88, longtime resident of Owatonna died November 17, 2017 at home with his loving family by his side and with the gracious and caring support of Home Instead and Allina Hospice.
A Wisconsin native, [born in Wausau Wis. to Edward and Norma Meilahn] Jerry graduated in 1949 from the University of Wisconsin at Madison with a major in Accounting. He began his employment with Federated Mutual (Federated Insurance) in 1949. In January of 1951, he left to serve in the U.S. Army Artillery and was stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska during the Korean War.
Jerry returned to Federated in January of 1953 in Home Office Accounting until 1959 when he moved to Systems area where he stayed until 1966. Also during this time, Jan (Hackbarth) Meilahn and Jerry were married in Wausau, WI on March 20, 1954. After Jan completed her nursing education in Chicago to become an RN, they built their new home in Owatonna.
In 1967, Jerry moved to Investments, Income Tax and Internal Auditing at Federated. In 1976, he was elected Treasurer and retired in 1994 as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO). On April 19, 1994, he was elected to the Board of Directors at Federated Insurance. He was re-elected Director, Secretary and Treasurer for the next 18 years until he retired on April 17, 2012. At the 108th Annual Meeting, he was named Federated Director Emeritus – the first ever to be honored to this role.
Jerry served for nine years on the Board of Directors at the University of Minnesota Hospitals as Chairman of the Finance Committee. He earned his fellowship in the Life Management Institute (FLMI) in 1967. In addition, he was a former trustee of the Owatonna Foundation, a former member of the University of Wisconsin Alumni Association, Owatonna Country Club and Trinity Lutheran Church.
Children started to arrive with Jill in 1954, Joni in 1958 and Jamie in 1963. As Jerry would say, “Let’s go play” or “Let’s go throw the ball around”. And then there were family vacations, fishing in Canada and other family get-togethers, athletics and music to be played; Jill the piano, Joni the violin and Jamie the flute. And most importantly, it has always been about being together and we are so thankful that we had so many opportunities to be together. Jerry loved to watch all his girls excel in sports in both high school and college; track, volleyball, golf and softball. He was the historian and documented all of the successes in films from State meets to OHS Athletic Hall of Fame inductions.
When thinking of our dad, husband and grandfather, Du:
We think of chocolate covered cherries, beer, football, quiet wisdom and a subtly sharp wit. How many ways can we say “thank you” and say how grateful we are. We just want to thank you for who you are in our lives and what you’ve done.
Jerry is survived by his wife of 63 years, Jan; daughters, Jill Meilahn (Randy) of Marshfield, WI, Joni Meilahn (Mark Adkins) of Minnetonka, MN and Jamie Meilahn (Joe Kinard); grandchildren, Nathan (Nadja) Lueth, Christopher (Erin Lueth, Macy and Kai Meilahn-Kinard; great-grandchildren, Katja and Lieselotte Lueth and nephew, Marc Thibert.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters.
Visitation will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Owatonna on Friday, November 24, 2017 from 12:00 – 2:00 PM. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 PM Friday, November 24th at Trinity Lutheran Church in Owatonna with Reverend Todd Buegler officiating. Friends and family are invited to a reception at the Owatonna Country Club beginning at 3:30 PM Friday, November 24th. A private interment will be in Forest Hill Cemetery in Owatonna.
Wausau Daily Herald Nov 20 2017
A Wisconsin native, [born in Wausau Wis. to Edward and Norma Meilahn] Jerry graduated in 1949 from the University of Wisconsin at Madison with a major in Accounting. He began his employment with Federated Mutual (Federated Insurance) in 1949. In January of 1951, he left to serve in the U.S. Army Artillery and was stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska during the Korean War.
Jerry returned to Federated in January of 1953 in Home Office Accounting until 1959 when he moved to Systems area where he stayed until 1966. Also during this time, Jan (Hackbarth) Meilahn and Jerry were married in Wausau, WI on March 20, 1954. After Jan completed her nursing education in Chicago to become an RN, they built their new home in Owatonna.
In 1967, Jerry moved to Investments, Income Tax and Internal Auditing at Federated. In 1976, he was elected Treasurer and retired in 1994 as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO). On April 19, 1994, he was elected to the Board of Directors at Federated Insurance. He was re-elected Director, Secretary and Treasurer for the next 18 years until he retired on April 17, 2012. At the 108th Annual Meeting, he was named Federated Director Emeritus – the first ever to be honored to this role.
Jerry served for nine years on the Board of Directors at the University of Minnesota Hospitals as Chairman of the Finance Committee. He earned his fellowship in the Life Management Institute (FLMI) in 1967. In addition, he was a former trustee of the Owatonna Foundation, a former member of the University of Wisconsin Alumni Association, Owatonna Country Club and Trinity Lutheran Church.
Children started to arrive with Jill in 1954, Joni in 1958 and Jamie in 1963. As Jerry would say, “Let’s go play” or “Let’s go throw the ball around”. And then there were family vacations, fishing in Canada and other family get-togethers, athletics and music to be played; Jill the piano, Joni the violin and Jamie the flute. And most importantly, it has always been about being together and we are so thankful that we had so many opportunities to be together. Jerry loved to watch all his girls excel in sports in both high school and college; track, volleyball, golf and softball. He was the historian and documented all of the successes in films from State meets to OHS Athletic Hall of Fame inductions.
When thinking of our dad, husband and grandfather, Du:
We think of chocolate covered cherries, beer, football, quiet wisdom and a subtly sharp wit. How many ways can we say “thank you” and say how grateful we are. We just want to thank you for who you are in our lives and what you’ve done.
Jerry is survived by his wife of 63 years, Jan; daughters, Jill Meilahn (Randy) of Marshfield, WI, Joni Meilahn (Mark Adkins) of Minnetonka, MN and Jamie Meilahn (Joe Kinard); grandchildren, Nathan (Nadja) Lueth, Christopher (Erin Lueth, Macy and Kai Meilahn-Kinard; great-grandchildren, Katja and Lieselotte Lueth and nephew, Marc Thibert.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters.
Visitation will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Owatonna on Friday, November 24, 2017 from 12:00 – 2:00 PM. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 PM Friday, November 24th at Trinity Lutheran Church in Owatonna with Reverend Todd Buegler officiating. Friends and family are invited to a reception at the Owatonna Country Club beginning at 3:30 PM Friday, November 24th. A private interment will be in Forest Hill Cemetery in Owatonna.
Wausau Daily Herald Nov 20 2017
Jairus Meilahn, 88, longtime resident of Owatonna died November 17, 2017 at home with his loving family by his side and with the gracious and caring support of Home Instead and Allina Hospice.
A Wisconsin native, [born in Wausau Wis. to Edward and Norma Meilahn] Jerry graduated in 1949 from the University of Wisconsin at Madison with a major in Accounting. He began his employment with Federated Mutual (Federated Insurance) in 1949. In January of 1951, he left to serve in the U.S. Army Artillery and was stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska during the Korean War.
Jerry returned to Federated in January of 1953 in Home Office Accounting until 1959 when he moved to Systems area where he stayed until 1966. Also during this time, Jan (Hackbarth) Meilahn and Jerry were married in Wausau, WI on March 20, 1954. After Jan completed her nursing education in Chicago to become an RN, they built their new home in Owatonna.
In 1967, Jerry moved to Investments, Income Tax and Internal Auditing at Federated. In 1976, he was elected Treasurer and retired in 1994 as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO). On April 19, 1994, he was elected to the Board of Directors at Federated Insurance. He was re-elected Director, Secretary and Treasurer for the next 18 years until he retired on April 17, 2012. At the 108th Annual Meeting, he was named Federated Director Emeritus – the first ever to be honored to this role.
Jerry served for nine years on the Board of Directors at the University of Minnesota Hospitals as Chairman of the Finance Committee. He earned his fellowship in the Life Management Institute (FLMI) in 1967. In addition, he was a former trustee of the Owatonna Foundation, a former member of the University of Wisconsin Alumni Association, Owatonna Country Club and Trinity Lutheran Church.
Children started to arrive with Jill in 1954, Joni in 1958 and Jamie in 1963. As Jerry would say, “Let’s go play” or “Let’s go throw the ball around”. And then there were family vacations, fishing in Canada and other family get-togethers, athletics and music to be played; Jill the piano, Joni the violin and Jamie the flute. And most importantly, it has always been about being together and we are so thankful that we had so many opportunities to be together. Jerry loved to watch all his girls excel in sports in both high school and college; track, volleyball, golf and softball. He was the historian and documented all of the successes in films from State meets to OHS Athletic Hall of Fame inductions.
When thinking of our dad, husband and grandfather, Du:
We think of chocolate covered cherries, beer, football, quiet wisdom and a subtly sharp wit. How many ways can we say “thank you” and say how grateful we are. We just want to thank you for who you are in our lives and what you’ve done.
Jerry is survived by his wife of 63 years, Jan; daughters, Jill Meilahn (Randy) of Marshfield, WI, Joni Meilahn (Mark Adkins) of Minnetonka, MN and Jamie Meilahn (Joe Kinard); grandchildren, Nathan (Nadja) Lueth, Christopher (Erin Lueth, Macy and Kai Meilahn-Kinard; great-grandchildren, Katja and Lieselotte Lueth and nephew, Marc Thibert.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters.
Visitation will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Owatonna on Friday, November 24, 2017 from 12:00 – 2:00 PM. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 PM Friday, November 24th at Trinity Lutheran Church in Owatonna with Reverend Todd Buegler officiating. Friends and family are invited to a reception at the Owatonna Country Club beginning at 3:30 PM Friday, November 24th. A private interment will be in Forest Hill Cemetery in Owatonna.
Wausau Daily Herald Nov 20 2017
A Wisconsin native, [born in Wausau Wis. to Edward and Norma Meilahn] Jerry graduated in 1949 from the University of Wisconsin at Madison with a major in Accounting. He began his employment with Federated Mutual (Federated Insurance) in 1949. In January of 1951, he left to serve in the U.S. Army Artillery and was stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska during the Korean War.
Jerry returned to Federated in January of 1953 in Home Office Accounting until 1959 when he moved to Systems area where he stayed until 1966. Also during this time, Jan (Hackbarth) Meilahn and Jerry were married in Wausau, WI on March 20, 1954. After Jan completed her nursing education in Chicago to become an RN, they built their new home in Owatonna.
In 1967, Jerry moved to Investments, Income Tax and Internal Auditing at Federated. In 1976, he was elected Treasurer and retired in 1994 as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO). On April 19, 1994, he was elected to the Board of Directors at Federated Insurance. He was re-elected Director, Secretary and Treasurer for the next 18 years until he retired on April 17, 2012. At the 108th Annual Meeting, he was named Federated Director Emeritus – the first ever to be honored to this role.
Jerry served for nine years on the Board of Directors at the University of Minnesota Hospitals as Chairman of the Finance Committee. He earned his fellowship in the Life Management Institute (FLMI) in 1967. In addition, he was a former trustee of the Owatonna Foundation, a former member of the University of Wisconsin Alumni Association, Owatonna Country Club and Trinity Lutheran Church.
Children started to arrive with Jill in 1954, Joni in 1958 and Jamie in 1963. As Jerry would say, “Let’s go play” or “Let’s go throw the ball around”. And then there were family vacations, fishing in Canada and other family get-togethers, athletics and music to be played; Jill the piano, Joni the violin and Jamie the flute. And most importantly, it has always been about being together and we are so thankful that we had so many opportunities to be together. Jerry loved to watch all his girls excel in sports in both high school and college; track, volleyball, golf and softball. He was the historian and documented all of the successes in films from State meets to OHS Athletic Hall of Fame inductions.
When thinking of our dad, husband and grandfather, Du:
We think of chocolate covered cherries, beer, football, quiet wisdom and a subtly sharp wit. How many ways can we say “thank you” and say how grateful we are. We just want to thank you for who you are in our lives and what you’ve done.
Jerry is survived by his wife of 63 years, Jan; daughters, Jill Meilahn (Randy) of Marshfield, WI, Joni Meilahn (Mark Adkins) of Minnetonka, MN and Jamie Meilahn (Joe Kinard); grandchildren, Nathan (Nadja) Lueth, Christopher (Erin Lueth, Macy and Kai Meilahn-Kinard; great-grandchildren, Katja and Lieselotte Lueth and nephew, Marc Thibert.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters.
Visitation will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Owatonna on Friday, November 24, 2017 from 12:00 – 2:00 PM. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 PM Friday, November 24th at Trinity Lutheran Church in Owatonna with Reverend Todd Buegler officiating. Friends and family are invited to a reception at the Owatonna Country Club beginning at 3:30 PM Friday, November 24th. A private interment will be in Forest Hill Cemetery in Owatonna.
Wausau Daily Herald Nov 20 2017
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