Carl Jerome 'Jerry' Cederstrom, 82

Carl Jerome “Jerry” Cederstrom, 82, of Polson, “went to join our Lord” on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014, at 4:20 p.m. He went peacefully while at home in the arms of his beloved wife, Cruzita “Grandma Cruz.”

He was born on April 30, 1931, in Pocatello, Idaho, to Carl Albert and Mary Katherine Cederstrom. As a young man he lived with his parents and sister Carol Cederstrom Long in Nampa, Idaho, and graduated from Nampa High School in 1950.

He retired from the Union Pacific Railroad in Idaho and settled down in Polson, where he recently retired from the Edgewater Realty where he held several positions including Realtor, office manager and director for Lake County Farmers Mutual Insurance.

Jerry met Cruzita in 1999 while they were both following their passion — dancing — and kicking up their heels square dancing as members of the Polson Paddle Wheelers Square Dance Club. They became partners in dance and then five years later, in life. They remained avid members of the Polson Paddle Wheelers, while also enjoying ballroom and various other forms of dance.

Jerry married his first love, Cruzita, on May 21, 2005. He was 74 years old.  

Grandpa Jerry inherited three loving stepchildren, Joe Quinones, Susen Quinones-Villegas and James Quinones. He also inherited many grandchildren, from Joe and Tina Quinones, Jose, Carlos, Mateo and Grace; from Dennis and Susen Villegas, Nicholl, Michael, Mitchell, Kaitlyn, Rose Bud, Chenoa and Patrick; and, a great-grandbaby from Michael and Meghan, Fiona Cruz.

Jerry has three nephews from his sister, Carol and Vern Long, Tim, Ben and Ted Long, a niece, Rona, a great-nephew, Caleb, and great-nieces, Rainy and Jolisa. Jerry has numerous cousins at Camp Tuffit, Lake Mary Ronan — Gary Thomas, Mark and Diane Thomas, and Lynn and Jeanne Maas.

Jerry enjoyed Sees Candy, Jelly Bellies; he loved his desserts, and he enjoyed watching and attending the Mariners baseball games. He very much liked singing spiritual and country songs. Jerry also took very good care of his favorite pet, “Pudgy” the cat.

Jerry and his father both retired from the railroad so he greatly enjoyed train memorabilia, train museums, train history, train vacations, train rides and anything that had to do with trains!

Services for Grandpa Jerry will be held on Saturday, Jan. 18, at the Grogan Funeral Home in Polson. Viewing will be from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Services will be at 1:30 p.m., followed by burial at Lake View Cemetery in Polson. We are honored to have Pastor Dewey Obenchain officiating, the pastor who married Jerry and Cruz nearly nine years ago.  

 Join us for a reception to celebrate Jerry’s life immediately following the burial at the Cederstrom home, located at 33477 Meadow Road in Jette Meadows, Polson.

Arrangements are under the direction of Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory. Messages of condolence can be sent to the family at www.groganfuneralhome.com