Jerry’s Story

Site created on August 9, 2015

On Monday, August 3rd, Jerry was on his motorcycle on his way back from a fishing trip in Mille Lacs, MN. While on Highway 169 in Elk River at around 2:30 P.M. he lost control of the bike and encountered the guard rail between the highway and was propelled into the area between the guard rails. He was luckily wearing a helmet. Emergency officers were called to the scene and upon arrival realized that he had a collapsed or punctured lung, which they temporarily fixed by inserting a needle into his lung that allowed air to circulate through his lungs.

He was then air lifted to North Memorial Hospital where he was treated in the Emergency Room (ER) for damage on his spleen and his lungs. At the time he arrived at the hospital he was talking and was able to respond to questions, but was not able to recall what caused the accident They were able to fix his lung but his spleen was not able to be fixed through non-invasive surgery. Since spleen injuries like this tend to fix themselves they opted to monitor it and determine if it would, in fact, fix itself. While in the ER they also determined that he suffered 7 broken ribs on the left side of his body in multiple places. Outside of that he endured a minor laceration on his left elbow, for which he received 2 stitches. He has since been under the care of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and has been heavily sedated. One of the drugs being used is called Propofol and is being used to sedate him but also to short term memory loss so he doesn't remember the pain he is experiencing here. This is also the drug that Michael Jackson overused and subsequently killed himself using (the hospital is much better at administering the drug). He also has an epidural in and we're told he feels no pain because of this.

On Friday, August 7th, he underwent surgery on his ribs. The surgery was completely successful and they were able to plate 5 of the 7 broken ribs in order to expedite the healing process and reduce pain. This is a relatively new surgery and has only been used in extreme circumstances so we're very glad it was successful. I will update this site daily with his progress henceforth.

- Shane

Newest Update

June 15, 2022 - The end

Journal entry by Shane Yager —

Jerry Yager, age 64, passed away in his home in Crystal on June 15, 2022, after a long-fought battle following his motorcycle accident in 2015. That accident led to several more hospital stays beyond the accounts shared on this page, but he continued to live a full life despite his health challenges.

He will be remembered as a loving father, grandfather, brother, son, and friend. As the youngest of eight children, he had a youthful, adventurous spirit and loved spending time with his children, grandchildren, (great) nieces and nephews. He had a great sense of humor and a serious sweet tooth, especially when it came to ice cream with fresh-picked raspberries. He loved music, including playing the guitar, and encouraged that love in his children.

Jerry also had an unstoppable drive to help others, regardless of his own situation. He was always active - mowing yards and shoveling driveways for friends and family, stopping on the side of the road to help a stranger with their car trouble, baking cakes for special occasions, sharing fish from his fishing trips, and fixing anything he could with his hands. Even on the days he was discharged from the hospital, you could find him helping someone. In recent months, he took to collecting and delivering food to anyone he thought could use it. Near the end, he would have days where he was in so much pain that he couldn’t walk, but he would somehow still get himself up on food delivery day to make sure people received their food.

There was no shortage of chances for him to have given up or circumstances that should have killed him, but Jerry fought and lived on for the people he loved. For that, and so much more, he will always be loved and sincerely missed.

Jerry is preceded in death by his parents: Edward and Lorraine Yager; and brother-in-law, Paul Langbehn. He is survived by his children: Sommer Waagosh, Shane (Kjerstin) Yager, and Luke Yager; grandchildren: Mason Tarro, Iris Yager, and Linnea Yager; seven siblings: Anita (Randy) Ecker, Tom (Shar) Yager, Ranee Langbehn, Diane (Sam) Cole, Kay (Karry) Curtis, Patty Roalson, Mike (Lynn) Yager; and countless nieces, nephews, and friends. Please join us in celebrating a life well-lived at Peninsula Point Park in Anoka, MN on June 25 at 6:30 P.M.

Memorials preferred in lieu of flowers. Please feel free to share stories of Jerry in the comments or photos in the gallery.

Read More of the journal titled "June 15, 2022 - The end"
  • Fishing whenever there's a chance - This opportunity was found on the side of the road.
    Fishing whenever there's a chance - This opportunity was found ...
  • Tried to get a good photo, but some people had a hard time not focusing on the babies.
    Tried to get a good photo, but some people had a hard time not ...
  • He loved playing with his grandchildren.
    He loved playing with his grandchildren.
  • Celebrating Shane and Kjerstin's wedding.
    Celebrating Shane and Kjerstin's wedding.
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