Jerry J. Trout

Jerry J. Trout died peacefully at home in Minneapolis, Minnesota surrounded by his family on Monday, January 17, 2022.

Jerry was born on January 12, 1936 near Newton, Iowa to Jennie June McCausland Trout and Cecil Aleric Trout. His parents and four older brothers, Robert, Morris, Cyrus Leslie, and Dale are all deceased. Jerry was married to Beth Higdon on June 22, 1958. Together they raised three children, Ellen van Iwaarden (husband James van Iwaarden), Laura Trout (partner Greg Widner) and Anthony Trout (wife Karen Moeller). His wife and children, four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren survive him.

Jerry graduated from Newton High School and Drake University. He served as a pilot in the Iowa Air National Guard, attaining the rank of Captain. He worked in Systems and Procedures, later Information Systems (IT) for Meredith Corporation and Fisher Controls. Jerry retired to ride across the United States with Beth on their tandem bicycle with the Iowa 150 in 1995.

After retiring, Jerry and Beth moved to Minnesota, spending 20 years on Stony Lake near Hackensack where Jerry devoted his life to building and maintaining the North Country National Scenic Trail.

Jerry was blessed with excellent health for 81 years. In his last five years he lived with multiple myeloma and dementia. A family memorial service has been held at Grace Trinity Community Church in Minneapolis. A service celebrating his life will be held at Center Friends Church, northeast of Newton on Saturday, May 21st at 2:00 p.m. with interment of his cremains to follow in the church cemetery.

Memorials may be given to the North Country Trail Association or to Park Nicollet Methodist Hospice.