Gerald Lakin

Gerald (Jerry) Anthony Lakin (85) passed away peacefully on January 12, 2021 in Coeur d’Alene Idaho.  He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend to all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Jerry was born on August 5th 1935 in Bemidji, Minnesota.  The youngest of seven children born to Leigh and Mary Lakin, Jerry loved to tell stories of his childhood growing up on the family farm.  At the age of 18 Jerry enlisted in the Army and served with distinction, earning the Soldier of the Month award in September 1957.

After his time in the service, Jerry moved to Tacoma, Washington, where he met his wife of 58 years, Julie Christenson.  He built their house in Puyallup, Washington, where they raised their two children Rhonda and Ryan.

Jerry was a well-known contractor in the Pacific Northwest where he started out building homes.  He later graduated to heavy construction where he built large industrial buildings for many well-known companies.  He toiled in some of the worst weather the region could throw at him, and always with a work ethic that settled for nothing other than complete perfection.

Jerry and Julie chose to spend their retirement years in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, where Jerry loved the four seasons and the many opportunities to fish and enjoy the outdoors.  Jerry said the weather reminded him of this childhood in Minnesota.

He is survived by his wife Julie Lakin (Christenson), daughter Rhonda Perez (Lakin), son Ryan, sister Beverly, son-in-law Michael Perez, daughter-in-law Mary-Hope, granddaughter Jessica and her husband Matthew, grandson Jacob and his wife Krista, brother-in-law Merrill Christenson and his wife Peggy, sister-in-law Stacey Goings and her husband Calvin, great grandsons Kayden, Carsen, Alexander, and Austin, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A celebration of life will be held at English Funeral Home in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho on Monday, January 25th at 2:00 p.m. Flowers and condolences can be sent to English Funeral Chapel, 1133 N. Fourth St., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814. Due to ongoing pandemic restrictions, participation in these services is by invitation only. We appreciate everyone’s understanding.  The service will be available to be viewed remotely on facebook English Funeral Chapel and Crematory page