Gerald "Jerry" McRae

Gerald “Jerry” McRae, 79, of Red Wing, MN died Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at the Mayo Clinic Health Systems, Red Wing Campus.  He was born May 31, 1944 in Red Wing to Olive (Anway) and John McRae. He grew up on the family farm in Red Wing. He graduated from Red Wing Central High School in 1962 and went on to attend Dunwoody Technical College and became an electrician. On August 1st, 1964 he married Bonita “Bonnie” Deden at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Hay Creek, MN. He served in the Army National Guard from 1965-1971. The couple moved to Northfield MN for two years, before relocating back to Red Wing, where they raised their family.

Jerry worked as an electrician from 1964 to 1970 in Northfield and for Red Wing Service Company, where he didn’t let his fear of heights prevent him from working hundreds of feet off the ground on various towers. In 1968 Jerry and Bonnie bought the McRae family farm and started O’Mac Stables on the land where the Red Wing Mayo Clinic and Menards now stand. He trained and showed Arabian horses full time from 1970 to 1994, where he became known nationwide for his expertise with reining horses. During the summer months, they hosted youth riders, creating a summer camp for anywhere from 15 to 25 kids, where they learned to ride and show horses. He also became a sought-after judge, traveling all over the country and to several international locations as an Arabian horse show judge.

In 1994 Jerry retired as a horse trainer and began farming full time. The couple moved 7 miles from Red Wing to a larger farm overlooking the Cannon River Valley, where they continued to raise horses and beef cattle as well as corn, beans, and alfalfa. He gradually retired from farming by age 75.

Jerry loved playing cards his whole life, especially Euchre, and was a member of the same card club for 25 years. He loved traveling with Bonnie, especially their 40th anniversary trip to Hawaii, their numerous trips with long-time friends Butch and Karen Hemenway, and their road trips visiting other horse show friends around the country. Jerry’s passion was taking care of horses and cattle with his Australian shepherds at his side. He loved sitting on his back deck having coffee and watching the herds in the pasture. He was also known throughout his life as a practical joker and as someone who could fix just about anything, given enough duct tape. Of all the things he did over the course of his life, Jerry’s favorite job was being Grandpa to his six grandkids. He particularly enjoyed setting up scavenger hunts and helping his wife Bonnie with their annual grandkids camps.

He is survived by his son, Joseph (Nancy) McRae of Deephaven; daughters, Ann (Bob) Gonsior of Red Wing and Helen Yates of Tucson, Arizona; 6 grandchildren, Kenna and Ellen McRae, Olivia, Samuel, Wyatt Gonsior, and Ryan Yates; sister, Beatrice (Kurt) Bestul, many nieces, nephews, God-children, other family and many friends.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Bonita; parents, siblings, John, Paul, Donald, Elizabeth Field, Joan Schultz, Norma McRae, Ida Goplin.

Memorial service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, February 7, 2024, Vasa Lutheran Church. Visitation will be 4-7p.m. Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel and one hour prior to the service at church. Burial will be at Burnside Cemetery. A live stream of the service can be found here. Memorials are preferred to the Parkinson Foundation.  Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com