Jerome Raeker

Jerome E. Raeker, age 80 of Melrose, passed away on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at Cura Care Center in Melrose, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 3 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in New Munich with Rev. Daniel Walz officiating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.

Visitation will be from 10 to 10:45 a.m. at the church.

Jerome Edmund Raeker was born November 21, 1945, in Melrose, Minnesota, to Arnold and Rosemary (Schulte) Raeker. He grew up farming alongside his parents on the family farm near New Munich. Later, Jerome moved to Melrose, where he worked as a janitor for the Melrose Public Schools. He was a gentle soul – a dedicated son, brother, uncle, godfather, and farmer. He was a lifelong member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.

Jerome enjoyed following sports, especially baseball and the Minnesota Twins, as well as football and the Minnesota Vikings. He was also an avid BINGO player and cherished the friendships and fun that came with the game.

Survivors include his siblings, Roland (Rita) Raeker, Eileen Davenport, JoAnn (Bob) Hanson, Luella (Phil) Korth, Al (Jane) Raeker, and Dorine (Ed) Connelly; sister-in-law, Denise Raeker, and many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Jerome was preceded in death by his parents, Arnold and Rosemary Raeker; brothers, Mel Raeker and Rick Raeker.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in New Munich.