Jerome M. Cichon

Jerome "Jerry" M. Cichon, 79, of Little Falls, MN formerly of Swanville, MN, passed away Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at his home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 15, 2011 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Little Falls, MN with Fr. Mark Innocenti, Fr. Ron Dockendorf and Fr. Nicholas Landsberger concelebrating. Interment will be in Our Lady of Lourdes parish cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. on Monday, November 14, 2011 at Emblom-Brenny Funeral Service in Little Falls, MN with Parish Prayers at 6:00 p.m. followed by Knights of Columbus Office of the Dead at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue from 8:00 - 10:00 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Jerome "Jerry" Martin Cichon was born on a November 15, 1931 in Two Rivers Township, Morrison County, Minnesota the son of Steve J. & Cecelia (Jelinski) Cichon. He grew up on a farm in Two Rivers Township and attended country school. He enlisted in the United States Army on September 15, 1952 and served our country in Korea as a truck driver and a cook. Honors and decorations he received include the Korean Service Ribbon with two Bronze Campaign Stars, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation. He was honorably discharged on August 24, 1954. Following his military service, he returned to farming. He was united in marriage to MaryAnn Bienek on June 6, 1961. The couple made their home on a farm northeast of Swanville where they raised five children while farming and owning/operating Rapid Pallet Company which manufactured pallets from sawmill to finished product. Jerry enjoyed woodworking whether it was running a chainsaw or his sawmill. He fully retired from business in 2008. Following a long battle with cancer, Jerry lost MaryAnn on August 11, 1996. He was united in marriage to Elizabeth "Betty" Zwilling on May 10, 2003. The couple made their home in Little Falls in the Edgewater Townhomes. As Jerry's health declined, they moved to Bridgeway Estates on October 20, 2011. Jerry was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Swanville and Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Little Falls serving as an usher in both parishes. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus in Long Prairie and currently in Little Falls. Other organizations and memberships include the Catholic Aid Association, the Swanville American Legion and the Little Falls V.F.W. Jerry was also a member and a volunteer of the Little Falls Senior Center where he served on the board of directors for three years. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Betty Cichon of Little Falls; children, Kathy (Brian) Burgardt of Little Falls, Jim (Shannon) Cichon of Swanville, David Cichon of Little Falls, Joe Cichon of New Ulm and Roger Cichon of Swanville; siblings, Philip (Marilyn) Cichon of Swanville and Marcella Woitalla of Harding; grandchildren, Kayla (Craig) Bohnsack, John Cichon, Dani and Niki Cichon; great-grandchildren, Addison and Emma Bohnsack; step children, Mary Beth Zwilling of Oklahoma, Lori Zwilling of Little Falls, Mark (Mary Jo) Zwilling of Gilman, Chuck (Tammy) Zwilling of Little Falls, Brian Zwilling of Mayhew Lake, Nita Zwilling of Rice, Janet Zwilling of Pequot Lakes, Ken Zwilling of Milaca, Dan Zwilling of Rockford, Jason (Jenny) Zwilling of Sauk Rapids, Kari (Bill) Hartsock of Pierz and Sarah (Jason) Toenyan of Freeport; 37 step grandchildren and 6 step great grandchildren. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Steve J. & Cecelia Cichon; wife, MaryAnn Cichon (August 11, 1996); brother, Bernard Cichon; brother-in-law, Alfred Woitalla; step-son, Jeffrey Zwilling, step grandchildren, Ryan Toenyan and Anthony Zwilling. His wife, Betty, wants to send a big thank you to St. Cloud Hospital Hospice Program who made Jerry as comfortable as he could be in his last days and to family and friends for the help. And a great thank you to my daughter, Kari Hartsock, who was a tremendous help and support and comfort to Jerry and myself. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred.