Jerry Laurel Leaf

Jerry Laurel Leaf, passed away peacefully in the comfort of his own home in the early hours of September 29th, 2019. Jerry was born on January 24th, 1945 in Fergus Falls, MN to Helen and Laurel Leaf. He was an only child. Jerry grew up and graduated from Pelican Rapids High School in 1963. After high school, Jerry didn’t believe in wasting good money on college. He could have a perfectly good job without needing a degree. That’s when he and his father started their own business, Leaf Auto Body Shop. In 1991, knowing how much of a workaholic he was, Jerry’s friends persuaded him to take a much-needed vacation. They suggested that he travel and explore the Philippines, and that he did. On his trip, he met Felicidad (Fely) Delos Reyes. Little did they know, they would be reunited in marriage on April 14th, 1993. On November 15th, 1996 they were blessed with a baby daughter, Krista. With loads of traveling back and forth from the States and the Philippines, they decided to settle down. In 2000, they brought Krista to the US and made Detroit Lakes, MN their home. Jerry adored his daughter and beloved wife, and made sure that they traveled back to the Philippines yearly for vacation, sometimes for months at a time. Jerry enjoyed being in the Philippines, because Fely has such a large family. There was never a day without laughter. Jerry always thought of the future, and for his daughter to have the best life she could ever want. For those of you who know Jerry, he always provided some tough love, but with the best intentions. In the last few years of his life, he would live vicariously through Krista in her adventures overseas. He loved hearing all the stories she would share. Under that serious facade he always showed, he was just a teddy bear. Jerry volunteered frequently for Holy Rosary Catholic School during Krista’s enrollment and even well-after she graduated. One of his favorite times of the year is when he could sit around the table with all the guys peeling apples for the bake sale at Holy Rosary. Another passion of Jerry’s was to collect antiques. He loved finding old goods and fixing them up in his garage. He brought his refurbished relics to Shady Hollow Flea Market in Detroit lakes every Sunday he could. It was his way of having fun. It was an added bonus that he could see and talk to all of his friends during his days here. He and Fely would also travel to different flea markets around the state, bringing Krista along for the ride. They shared this tradition every summer, for over 20 years. A lot of memories were made during this time. Jerry will be remembered by his wife Fely, of 26 years and their daughter Krista, as well as the extensive family throughout Canada, Australia and the Philippines. He is preceded in death by his parents Helen and Laurel.