Gerald Robert Krosnowski, age 85 of Apple Valley, MN, died peacefully on June 15, 2026, surrounded by family at his home. Jerry was born on December 9, 1940, in Hamtramck, MI, to Alphonse and Mary (Emerick) Krosnowski.  Jerry was stationed in Berlin, Germany, when he met the love of his life, Barbara Nielebock, and married her on August 15, 1961, in Belleville, MI.

Jerry had many jobs throughout his life.  He started working at a young age, setting pins in a bowling alley and cutting asparagus and hay on Belleville farms.  He proudly served his country in the US Army and worked as a signal core field carrier equipment repairer in Germany.

Coming back to the US, Jerry sold encyclopedias door-to-door and then sewing machines. He also worked as a gas station attendant, cemetery groundskeeper, used car salesman, repo man, and small aircraft body repairman.  From there, he had his own business selling Awrey Bakery goods from a delivery truck and then became a designer for General Motors until 1969, when he found his passion, travel.  He started selling tours for Your Man Tours (YMT) and was promoted to Regional Manager in 1971.  That meant starting a new branch, which brought him to Minnesota.

In 1980 Jerry left YMT and started Sunshine Travel Company with his wife Barbara.  He eventually sold the company in 2006 to his daughter, Dawn. After his semi-retirement, Jerry became a missionary and started Risen Savior Missions with Barbara to help starving children in the Philippines and later in Zimbabwe. It began in 2006 by sending 100,000 meals from Feed My Starving Children to the Philippines, and this year RSM will send its 200 millionth meal.  The food has fed over 1.5 million children, and Jerry was working on a water project in Zambia up to the day he passed away.

Jerry loved sports and was a youth basketball and football coach at St. Gerard's parish in Detroit, MI.  He also coached youth soccer and traveling soccer in Apple Valley, MN, for five years.

His talents also included gardening and being a card shark, but he loved his family and practiced his faith with all his heart.

Jerry is preceded in death by his parents; sibling, Robert Kross, and nephew, Paul Kross.

He is survived by his loving wife, Barbara; children, Pamela (Joseph) Germ, Robert (Jennifer) Krosnowski, Dawn (Nathan Gerber) Krosnowski; granddaughters, Allison Germ, Kezia Germ, Jessica Krosnowski, Roseah Germ, and Emily Krosnowski; sister-in-law, Bette Kross, nieces and nephews, Eileen, David, Ronald, and Karen Kross, and many other family and friends.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 AM Friday June 19, 2026, at Mary, Mother of the Church, 3333 Cliff Road East, Burnsville, MN, with a visitation on Thursday (6/18) from 6-8 PM at the White Funeral Home, 14560 Pennock Avenue, Apple Valley, MN (952-432-2001) and also 1 hour prior to Mass at the church. Private interment, Resurrection Cemetery, Mendota Heights, MN.  Memorials to Risen Savior Missions, 14533 Eureka Ct., Apple Valley, MN  55124 or at www.RisenSaviorMissions.org .

The Mass will be livestreamed at https://youtube.com/live/T_grr_P5qLM?feature=share

Condolences at: www.whitefuneralhomes.com