Gerald "Shump" Krump

Gerald Joseph Krump, 91, of Breckenridge, MN, passed away on Monday, September 17, 2018, at Twin Town Villa, Breckenridge. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 19, 2018, at Joseph Vertin and Sons Funeral Home, Breckenridge, with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, September 20, 2018, at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Kent, MN, with a visitation one hour prior to the service. Father Stan Wieser and Father Joseph Backowski will be officiating, and the burial will be held at St. Thomas Catholic Cemetery. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Joseph Vertin and Sons Funeral Home.

Gerald, affectionately known as “Shump,” was born in Mantador, ND, on February 12, 1927 (as a twin), to Peter P. and Ella (Foertsch) Krump. The family moved to Hankinson where they ran a dairy farm and during his childhood, Gerald helped his father deliver milk to all their customers--rain, snow, or shine. In 1942, the family moved to Femco Farm #2, near Kent, MN.

Gerald left the family farm to serve in the United States Army from August 1945 to October 1947 and was stationed in Korea. On November 12, 1952, Gerald was united in marriage to Grace Nordick at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Kent. They made their home in Kent and were blessed with four children. In 1957, Gerald moved his family to Femco Farm #2 where he milked cows (which he had been doing from the time he could walk) until 1986. While raising dairy cows, he also grew small grain on the farm. In October of 2003, Gerald and Grace moved to Breckenridge, MN. After Grace’s death in 2014, Gerald moved to Twin Town Villa in June of 2015, where he had since resided.

When Gerald was not at the farm, he could be found maintaining St. Thomas Catholic Church, Kent. He was a member of Knights of Columbus, Fergus Falls Elks Lodge, Eagles Aerie #2749 of Wahpeton, and American Legion. One of his lifelong sayings was “kids will be kids,” and he believed in treating kids and grandkids with patience and grace no matter the mischief they might have created. Another one of his favorite sayings to live by was “the dogs have to eat too,” which meant the dogs could eat off his fork during a meal. Gerald and his brothers had a great interest in means of transportation. From the tractor seat to the Model T’s, then on to the air with their Piper Cub airplane. Back to the ground again with their own invention, the snow plane. Because of the nature of their work, hobbies, and out of necessity, they became proficient mechanics. Gerald was known for his generosity and heart to serve others. This was especially evident in his eagerness to help fix anything that might be broken for his family, friends, and community. He was the family boat driver and patient water-ski instructor. Gerald was a loving mentor to his children and grandchildren all throughout their lives; he will be greatly missed.

Gerald is survived by his son, Ron (Carol) Krump of Kent, MN, and their four children, Kristi Althoff, Michelle (Anthony) Holm and their children, Jaden, Olivia, and Makayla; Thomas Althoff and James Althoff; his daughter, LuAnn (John) Vassar of Independence, MN, and their six children, Neil (Katie) Vassar and their two children, Noah and Gabrielle; Anne Vassar, Paul Vassar, Mary (Lee) Pepin, and their five children, Francis, James, Miranda, Charlotte, and William; Holly Vassar, and Dale Vassar; his daughter, Diane Krump of Plymouth, MN; his son, Allen (Lorna) Krump of Breckenridge, MN, and their two children, Randy (Trish) Dunn, Brian (Ami) Dunn and their three children, Kevin, Ethan, and Colton Dunn; his brothers, Art (Bernice) Krump and Lee (Shirley) Krump; his half-brother, Dennis (Debbie) Krump; his sisters, Dorothy Kaler, LouElla Freese, Elaine Nordick, Illa (Dennis) Abel, Meg Parmer, and LaVonne Althoff; his sister-in-law, Marlys Krump; his step-sister, Janice (Dale) Lehrke; and his brother-in-law, Ralph Nordick.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Peter P. and Ella; his brothers, Lester and Paul; his sisters, Darlene Witt, Hilarion Ehlert, (his twin sister) Geraldine Arnhalt, Patricia Bettise; his half-sisters; Angeline Buckhouse, and Mary Ann Scheller; and his step-brother, Duane Mumm.