Gerri A. Clarkin

Gerri A. Clarkin (nee Devaney)

A.K.A. “Grandma Coco”, “Auntie Ag”, “Mrs. C”

Age 86 of Hugo

Passed away peacefully on April 16, 2025. Gerri was born in St. Paul on May 12, 1938, to parents Lawrence & Myrl Devaney. They raised her and her three siblings in the Frogtown neighborhood of St. Paul. She graduated from Wilson High School, Class of 1957. Not long after graduation, Gerri married her husband, David Clarkin, on December 26, 1959. They settled on the East Side of St. Paul, where they raised five children together.

Gerri referred to herself as a “strong Irish broad.” She helped her brothers fix up cars and started her career as a factory worker at Whirlpool. Later on, she began to work at Stroh’s Brewing Co. Once her children were grown up, she moved into a townhome in Maplewood. Gerri retired from Stroh’s when they shut down the brewery in 1997. Retirement allowed her to spend more time with her family, helping to care for her young grandchildren at the time. Eventually, Gerri bought her home in Hugo, where she lived for the rest of her life.

If you knew Gerri, you knew she was a big sports fan. You would often find her with her transistor radio, tuning in to the Minnesota Twins or Vikings games as she worked on a puzzle. She also delighted in watching her children and grandchildren play baseball, softball, broomball, volleyball (or as Gerri called it, “volleyvall.”) No matter what activity it was, Gerri was there to cheer her family on.

Gerri was also known for her cooking. She was requested to bring her ham ball to almost every family gathering. No one could forget her deep-fried taco shells on Easter, her amazing turkey dinners on Thanksgiving, or the overabundance of cookies she would make every Christmas.

Gerri enjoyed going on cruises, taking trips to the casino, and cracking a Bud Light at any social event. She loved feeding and watching the hummingbirds outside her window. She also loved anything Wizard of Oz related, and loved all her dogs, especially her Yorkies. Gerri’s first Yorkie was named Coco, which caused her young grandchildren to give her the infamous name, “Grandma Coco.” She was devastated after Coco died, so her family surprised her on Christmas with a new Yorkie she named Kirby.

Gerri devoted her life to family; it was rare for her to miss any sort of family get-together. She was also very dedicated to giving her family birthday cards. Gerri wasn’t afraid to tell you her opinion, loudly. While she was feisty and strong-willed, Gerri also had a great sense of humor. She could make everyone laugh, often without even trying. She was an independent woman, and she liked it that way. To sum her up, Gerri was a character; there was absolutely no one like her.

Preceded in death by husband David; daughter Colleen; grandson Tyler and siblings Jean Redmond, John "Jack" Devaney and Tom Devaney. Survived by children Terry Clarkin (Colleen "Kelly"), Patrick Clarkin (Germaine), Michael Clarkin (Mary) and Shannon Olson (James); grandchildren Kyle Clarkin (Lindy), David “Davey” Bigham, Nichole Borowske (Neal), Maddie Woytcke (Kyle Tomford), Katie Evans (Isaiah), Ryley Clarkin and Morgan Clarkin; and great grandchildren, Aubree and Connor.

Mass of Christian Burial Friday, May 2, 2025 at 11:00 am at ST. GENEVIEVE CATHOLIC CHURCH (Community Center), 6995 Centerville Road, Centerville. Visitation Thursday, May 1, 2025 from 4-7:00 pm at MUELLER MEMORIAL, 4738 Bald Eagle Avenue, White Bear Lake and one hour before the Mass on Friday at the church. Private interment Union Cemetery. Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers to the family.

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