Gerald Joseph Ziskovsky, age 56 of Prior Lake, passed away on Saturday, September 24, 2022 while surrounded by his family.
A visitation will be held from 4-7PM on Friday, September 30, 2022 at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, 4565 Pleasant St. SE, Prior Lake. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, October 1, 2022 at 10AM with a visitation beginning at 9AM all at St. Michael Catholic Church, 16400 Duluth Ave SE, Prior Lake. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred and will be distributed by Gerald’s family in his memory
On April 26, 1966 at Queen of Peace Hospital in New Prague, Gerald was born to parents Joseph and Betty (Flicek) Ziskovsky. Along with his siblings, he was raised on the family farm near Veseli and attended New Prague schools.
Following his graduation from New Prague High School in 1984, Gerald attended Faribault Vo-Tech before entering the work force. He was employed with the Ford Twin Cities Assembly Plant until their closure. During this time, Gerald was an active member of the UAW (United Auto Works) 879 union.
In later years, Gerald found great enjoyment working for the Prior Lake Savage School district. Starting in 2020, he was coined the “Hat Man” by students and staff alike. As the school navigated distance learning, Gerald wanted to bring joy to everyone. He soon started wearing silly, funny hats guaranteed to earn a smile and laugh.
A generous and outgoing man, Gerald was active in the community. He volunteered with the Prior Lake Lions as well as the 5M2 District Lions, often chairing committees and stepping into any role when needed. Gerald never hesitated to help his family, friends, neighbors, church, and community. He truly had a servant’s heart.
While volunteering with the Veseli Jaycees, Gerald was introduced to Kris Johnson. On October 30, 1993 they were united in marriage at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Veseli. They were blessed with two daughters and 28 years together. Gerald embraced family life—he was his girl’s biggest supporter! He enjoyed coaching his daughters in softball, as well as being their dance partner in father daughter dance at Premiere Dance Academy. He took every opportunity to spend time with his family.
Gerald’s definition of family was far reaching as he considered many of his friends to be family. He loved socializing, traveling, and teasing friends with his witty one-liners. In his free time, Gerald enjoyed gardening, decorating for the holidays, and contributing to his “unofficial” job of sending in the weather and trivia questions to his favorite radio station KCHK
Gerald is loved and missed by his wife, Kris; daughters, Heather Ziskovsky and Morgan Ziskovsky; parents, Joe and Betty Ziskovsky, siblings, Richard (Shirley) Ziskovsky, Arnie (Deb) Ziskovsky, Sue (Gib) Sticha; mother-in-law, Carol Johnson and Kris’s siblings and their families as well as countless nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews, and a great great nephew. And many more family and friends.
He is preceded in death by triplet children at birth; father-in-law, Tom Johnson; and his grandparents.
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Jodi Schlangen
I am truly sorry for your loss. I won’t be able to make it to the wake. You all will be in my thoughts & prayers.
Bob and Vicky Kimpton
Sorry to hear about Gerald. What a good man. Our prayers are with you and your family
Justine Jacobson
Our deepest sympathy to the family of Gerald “Turtle.” We enjoyed his wonderful sense of humor and his love of the station. He will be missed. JJ and family
wyatt
sory for your lose
Kit Kennedy
A tremendous loss for all whose lives he touched. May the Peace of our Lord envelope you all
Susan Carlson
Our hearts go out to you. We will miss him!! Dave & Sue Carlson
Carla Anderson Skogland
Kris- my heart is broken for you and your beautiful girls. I’m thankful we met this summer and got to know one another. Please let me know if there is anything you need.
Lisa Wolff
I am so very sorry for your loss. Sending prayers and hugs.
Emily Malone
Gerald was an amazing friend and supporter to everyone around him. He was always willing to help by going above and beyond for his team and everyone he served. His hats, his smile, and his willingness to stop and chat is what I will remember most. The child nutrition team at PLSAS could not have fed the students of our community without him. He is dearly missed and we are so sorry for your loss.
Jan Hertaus
So sorry for your loss. My Prayers and thoughts are with you during this sad time. May God give you peace and comfort in the days ahead.
Stefany Waalen
I am so sorry for your loss. He truly was a great man. I remember visiting with him during the Covid shut down, when I would run to work to pick up supplies for students or for myself. He always made me laugh with his hats. He adored his students and staff, and I know we will all miss him dearly
Dave Brown
My staff and I loved seeing Gerald during his daily stops at our school during his route at PLSAS. He was very supportive of our school, Bridges, and our staff always on the look out for us when when we may have been in need with his community connections and district awareness – a true helper. He worked with our students in our old building when he would deliver lunches. I personally appreciated that opportunity for our students to work with Gerald being of great character and work ethic.
During the challenging years of the pandemic he started dropping off candy for our staff and wearing hats to help bring a smile to the students – which it did! We will miss connecting with him daily and value the time we had with him for many years. I appreciated how he would leave on a positive note every day, no matter how busy he may be saying, ‘I hope you all have a great day.’
Our condolences to your family on behalf of our students and staff.
Ali Mire
I am so sorry for the loss. And my deepest sympathy to the Gerald’s family, friends and co-workers!
Kristi Mussman
Gerald was always so kind and went out of his way to make sure everyone had what they needed. At the district office we loved seeing his hats and the smile it brought to so many. Thinking of you all.
Lori Moline
Sorry for your loss…
I am going to miss his witty one liners at Hooligans Sunday meat raffles. It was a blessing to meet him.
Hold tight to your faith and the promise that you will see him again!!!! Prayers for all
When things feel overwhelming, remember:
ONE thought at a time
ONE task at a time
ONE DAY AT A TIME
Thomas O'Brien
Tom O’Brien
It was my honor to serve with Gerald on the MN Lions Childhood Cancer Foundation Board. His presence will be missed. My deepest sympathy to Gerald’s family and friends.
Lori Ford
Kris, Heather and Morgan,
John and I were so sorry to hear the news about Gerald. He was such a friendly, fun, generous guy who always seemed to be full of joy and enthusiasm for life. I remember the times I saw and visited with him at our Family Center Events, especially the times he helped with the parades. He will be missed by many and I’m sure it has been hard for you to “say good-bye”. Please accept our condolences and know that we have all of you in our thoughts and prayers,
Lori and John Ford
Tamara Trcka
Our deepest sympathy to Gerald’s family. Our thoughts and prays are with you during this difficult time.
Gloria and Tamara Trcka
Nikki Macias
The entire Macias family is lifting you ladies, and your whole family, up in our hearts, thoughts and prayers.
Gerald’s bright light and kindness will be genuinely missed!
Hugs and love to you all.
Ed & Jean Keogh
Our deepest sympathies to all of you, Joe and Betty, Arnie and Deb, Richard and Shirley, Sue and Gib.
Loved hearing the weather reports and trivia he shared on KCHK. He will truly be missed. Wishing you all peace, comfort, and hope during this time. Keeping you and yours in our thoughts and prayers.
Robert Thompson
Our deepest sympathy to Gerald’s family. It was an honor to serve on the MN Lions Childhood Cancer Foundation with Lion Gerald.
Alexius Serefeas
Gerald always brought us so much joy at Bridges ALC, especially during the pandemic – he will be truly missed. Our thoughts are with you and your family.
David Evermann
Whenever I ran into Gerald he always had a cheerful attitude and a good word to say . A kind and caring guy.
I will miss his presence. So sorry for your loss.
Rosie Riesgraf Blacketer
So sorry to here about your loss. Sending prayers to the family.
Mark & Laurel Glewwe
Our paths crossed with Gerald in several areas. It was always a pleasure to see and talk with him.
He will be missed. Our deepest condolences to his family and friends.
Maureen Mullen
Gerald was such a fixture in our department, and an important part of the PLSAS Operations team. We will miss him!
Condolences to the Ziskovsky family on behalf of PLSAS Operations.
Ralph & Kay Gilbertson
Kris and family.
We are so very sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers for you and your family. (HUGS)
Marsha
Turtles family, i am so very sorry fir your liss. Heaven has gained a wonderful Angel and we have lost. Turtle was such a kund and generous spirit wonderful man to work with