Gerald J. Jondreau
March 21, 1937 — September 29, 2006
Gerald J. Jondreau, 69, of L'Anse, died Friday evening, September 29, 2006, in the Skilled Nursing Unit at Baraga County Memorial Hospital.
He was born March 21, 1937, in Assinins, Michigan, a son of the late William "Boyzie" and Mino (Cardinal) Jondreau. Gerald was a 1955 graduate of Baraga High School and earned a Bachelor's Degree in engineering from Michigan Technological University.
He was employed with Hughes Aircraft for several years and then with MacDonald-Douglass following their acquisition of Hughes. He retired in 1994 as an ordnance engineer for the Apache Helicopter. Following his retirement, Gerald returned to Baraga County, purchased a fishing boat and was self-employed for some time as a commercial fisherman.
Gerald was a member of Most Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church at Assinins, the Ojibwa Seniors and served as president with the cultural club. He designed safety procedures, taught the Ojibwa language, promoted education and empowerment of the people to members of the KBIC. Gerald performed with the chorus' at Most Holy Name of Jesus and Our Savior Lutheran Church in Atlantic Mine. He and his wife, Susan operated an ice cream cart business at pow-wow's and also had a music ministry entertaining residents at the local nursing homes and assisted care facilities.
Gerald is survived by his wife, Susan Jondreau, whom he married July 29, 2000; children, Diane Jondreau, Michelle (Chris) Dunn, Caryn Jondreau and Denise (Allen) Ash; step-children, Patrick (Susie) Little and Jennifer (Jeremiah) Gunderson; 6 grandchildren; brother, Robert (Jamie) Jondreau; sister, Nancy (Rod) Edwards; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by 2 sisters, Elaine and Alice and a brother, William Jondreau.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 4, 2006 from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Jacobson Funeral Home. A parish prayer service will take place a 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, October 5, 2006 at 11 a.m. in Most Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church at Assinins. Interment will be in the Assinins Cemetery.