Gerald "Gerry" Henry Fahning, 93, of Dodge Center, MN passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at Mayo Clinic St. Mary's Campus in Rochester, MN.
Gerry was born on October 30, 1931, in Zumbrota, MN to Henry and Julia (Erickson) Fahning. He grew up outside of Cleveland, MN, on a farm with his sister and three brothers. Gerry graduated from Cleveland, MN high school in 1949.
After high school he attended the University of Minnesota St. Paul campus until 1951. In 1951, he was drafted into the United States Army and served in South Korea until he was honorably discharged in 1953. In the fall of 1953, he resumed his studies at the University of Minnesota, graduating in 1956. While attending the University of Minnesota he joined the fraternity Alph Gama Rho.
In 1955, Gerry took an internship for the summer with Dodge County Extension and oversaw the 4-H. At the end of the summer, they asked him if he would come back as a hired Dodge County Extension 4-H leader and he did. So, in 1956, he came back to Dodge County. He loved working with people and 4-H; teaching and helping people develop skills in the agricultural areas.
Gerry met his future wife, Mary Washburn in 1956, when they lived in the same rooming house in Dodge Center. They married on June 8, 1958.
Gerry left Extension in 1962, and started his own insurance business, his parent company being the New York Life Insurance Company. He was an agent for New York Life for over 55 years. His daughter, Beth joined him in business in 1990, forming Fahning and Associates, LLC. This business continues.
He had a great devotion to his family and to Dodge County. Gerry served on the Dodge County Fair Board for 18 years. He was elected as a councilman for the City of Dodge Center, a position he held for over 15 years. He also served on many city committees and boards. Gerry was a founding member of the Dodge Center Lions Club which was chartered in 1968. He earned one of Lions Club’s highest awards, the Melvin Jones Fellow Award. He was a member of the Dodge Center American Legion Post #384 Wells-Peterson. Gerry helped organize the Dodge County Expo, an event that was near and dear to his heart. He was a member of the Dodge Center United Methodist Church, serving on many committees and involved with many functions of the church.
Gerry loved to hunt, fish, watch sports, garden and chat over a cup of coffee, if cookies were involved it would be even better. He enjoyed watching his children in their activities as they grew up and watching his grandchildren in their activities whether it was plays, music, sports, or 4-H.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Fahning; daughter-in-law, Wendy Fahning; brother, Eugene (Al) Fahning; sister, Helen Enstrom.
Gerry is survived by his son, Paul Fahning; daughters, Beth (Ralph) Hanggi and Barbara (Dan) Lauer; three grandchildren, Heidi Fahning (John Gerritsen), Chad (Brooke) Fahning, and Hannah Lauer; one great-grandchild, Evelyn W. Fahning; brothers, Wayne (Marilyn) Fahning, Dayton (Annette) Fahning; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, June 28, 2025, at the United Methodist Church, 20 1st St NE in Dodge Center, MN with Reverend Chad Christensen officiating. Visitation will be from 4:30-7:00 p.m. Friday, June 27, 2025, at Czaplewski Family Funeral Homes, 25 South Street SW in Dodge Center, MN and one hour prior to his service at the church. Military Honors will be provided by the Dodge Center American Legion Post 384 following his service at the church. Inurnment will be held at a later date in Spring Valley Cemetery in Spring Valley, MN.
In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer donations to the Dodge Center United Methodist Church, Dodge County 4-H, Dodge County Salvation Army, Dodge Center Lion’s Club or donor’s choice.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Stacey Hanson, Prairie Meadows and their staff, St. Croix Hospice, and Fairview Nursing Home and their staff, for the wonderful care they have given Gerry this past year.
To share a special memory or condolence please visit http://www.czaplewskifuneralhomes.com. Czaplewski Funeral Homes, 25 South Street, Dodge Center, MN 55927 (507)374-2155. Blessed be his memory.
