Sherman "Sherry" Gleekel Obituary (1930 - 2015)

Sherman "Sherry" Gleekel, died peacefully at the age of 84 on Sunday, January 18th. Known to all his friends as Sherry, he was a beloved husband to Mimi, his wife of 58 years; father to his three sons; and Papa to his six grandchildren. A devotee of the Vikings, Frank Sinatra, golf and poker, he was happiest enjoying life's blessings big and small surrounded by his family. He felt deep joy to live to see the 2012 B'nai Mitzvah of his youngest grand-daughters at Temple Israel, the spiritual center of his life, and to be able throughout his life to help Temple, and especially its Camp Teko, flourish and thrive. Sherry grew up on the North Side of Minneapolis, where he lived, studied and played football for North High School alongside friends of many religions and ethnicities, fostering his own Jewish identity as well as the commitment to tolerance, respect and civil liberties that became the focus of his later philanthropy. Sherry made lifelong friends at North High, including the SOH buddies with whom he shared old stories over eggs and salami until the end. Sherry was loved by family, friends and colleagues at Grace-Lee Products. He is survived by his wife, Mimi; his sons and daughters-in-law, Peter & Karen, Mack & Mitzi and Tony & Beth; six grandchildren, Joe, Ben, Isabel, Cade, Raye and Addie; his sister Susan. He will be missed by all. Funeral will be held 12 NOON THURSDAY, January 22nd, at TEMPLE ISRAEL, 2324 Emerson Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55405. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Mimi and Sherry Gleekel Camp Teko Fund at Temple Israel or to donor's choice. SHIVA 7 pm Thursday at Temple Israel.