Jeffrey "Jeff" Ainali

Jeffrey G. “Jeff” Ainali, age 61, of Melrose passed away unexpectedly on Friday, June 20, 2025 at the CentraCare Hospital in Melrose, Minnesota.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12 p.m. Friday, June 27 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Grey Eagle with Rev. Joe Herzing officiating. Inurnment will be in the parish cemetery.

Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Friday at the church in Grey Eagle.

Jeffrey George Ainali was born July 14, 1963 in Long Prairie, Minnesota to John and Delores (Majerus) Ainali. Jeff attended Melrose High School and began working right out of school. Throughout the years, he worked various jobs including construction, turkey farming, and driving truck. Jeff grew up with a strong work ethic and worked hard at every job he had. On May 29, 1982, he married Jerri Zimmermann in Albany, Minnesota. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Grey Eagle.

Jeff enjoyed hunting and was a jokester to all but especially to his grandchildren. He thought very highly of his grandchildren and spending time with them was his favorite thing to do. He was “Foreman” of all of his kids and their many construction projects.

Survivors include his wife, Jerri Ainali of Melrose; children, Josh (Nicole) Ainali of Sauk Centre, Holly (Brian) Siedschlag of Sauk Centre, Stacy Ainali (Jake Roering) of Sauk Centre, and Justin (Aimee) Ainali of Grey Eagle; nine grandchildren, Jacob and Peyton Ainali, Allie and Noah Siedschlag, Parker and Kendall Roering, Madison Ainali, and Hannah and Jackson Kruchten; mother, Delores Ainali of St. Rosa; sister and brothers, Dee (Mark) Dierkhising of Melrose, Tim (Barb) Ainali of Grey Eagle, Mark (Jill) Ainali of Grey Eagle, Pat Ainali of St. Rosa, Eric Ainali of St. Anthony, and Jon Ainali of Grey Eagle; mother-in-law, Darlene Zimmermann of Albany; and many beloved nieces and nephews whom he loved as his own.

Jeff was preceded in death by his father, John Ainali; and father-in-law, Melvin Zimmermann.