I was born on 1 December 1958 to my parents Jade Bottcher and Carole Bottcher (Shrewsbury) on a snowy day. I have four siblings: Scott was born in 1957, Karla and Karen were born in 1961, and Beth was born in 1968. My early childhood was somewhat normal; we lived In Wayzata, MN then Minnetonka, MN. My parents divorced and we moved back to Wayzata for one year, then to Saint Louis Park, MN where I spent my high school years.
During the school year I played football in the fall, and the rest of the time we spent a lot of time outdoors as most kids did at that time. We played a lot of pick-up games of football, baseball, soccer, and boot hockey. Once I hit high school, instead of sports, I worked part time jobs including gas station attendant, worked at a diaper service, and also as a cook at Pizza Hut.
My grades in high school were average, but I was not college material. My best classes were two years of Auto Mechanics, Science and Math, and surprisingly enough Economics. In my senior year I joined the U.S Army on Delayed Entry.
Three months after graduating, I went on active duty as an E-1 Military Policeman. At the beginning of basic training, I was not in good shape, but they took care of that! My Unit was One Station Unit Training, so we transitioned right from Basic to AIT. I graduated AIT In January 1998 and was sent directly to Korea.
While In Korea I kept my nose clean and had a great time and was promoted to E-4 on the day of leaving for the US. I was then stationed at Fort Meade, MD with the 293rd MP company, 519th MP Battalion. While there we trained a lot, and did MP work. I also spent some time working in the Motor Pool as a maintenance clerk. I was sent to the E-5 board and after I completed PLC (Primary Leadership Training) and was promoted to SGT.
It was during this time I met my first wife, Linda, three years later while stationed in Virginia; we got married. I elected to reclass into transportation where I served as the unit NBC NCO.
Two years later I was back in Korea, where I ran a Personal Property Shipping Office and also served as a US Customs Agent. It was there that I was promoted to E-6 Staff Sergeant. While there, my wife gave birth to my first daughter, Stephanie.
About mid tour in Korea, I was invited to reclassify and decided to go into the Field Artillery as a Lance Missile, MLRS Rocket Systems Crewman. After a tour at Fort Sill, OK and then Fort Carson Co, I was sent to Germany.
During my first stint at Fort Carson, my second daughter Tiffany was born. When I was sent to Germany, we found out that we were having another child. After my family rejoined me, we finished our tour in Germany, and we were then sent back to Fort Carson.
It was during this time that my wife and I divorced. After two years at Fort Carson, I was sent back to Fort Sill, OK, where I served as the Operations Sgt for a new MLRS Battalion. After a while there I opted to retire from the Army and begin my civilian life.
I started out working a short line as an over the road trucker but decided that way of life was not a good fit for me. Then I was driving short haul during the day and went to school at nights and on weekends to be an IT Specialist (Computer Network Engineer)
Right when I was getting ready to graduate college, two things took place. I met my lovely wife, Jill, in October 1998. We bought a house and got married in June 1999. Things were going very well but then in Feb 2000 I was diagnosed with kidney disease.
I was told I could no longer drive a truck for a living, but less than two weeks later I was hired as a technical support agent for Micron Computers. Unfortunately, Micron closed but soon afterwards, after I was hired by the State of Minnesota as an IT Specialist. I stayed with the State for 20 years and climbed the ladder to be an IT Level 3.
My kidney disease was treatable at the time, but the first year of treatment was rough. Jill was with me every step of the way. During this time, I was also able to see more of my kids and have them come stay with us for a while.
In 2001, I became a grandfather for the first time. Over the years I have been blessed with a total of nine grandchildren, and this year became a great grandfather twice. I am sure there will be more to come, but I am in no hurry for more to come around. They will happen when they happen. All three of my kids are amazing and successful in life and are doing well. All the grandchildren are doing good as well.
During this time my kidney disease continued to progress, so the treatments became more intense to include immunosuppressants. I had some other issues directly related to my kidney disease including a heart attack in 2010. Since then, my heart has been fine (just needed a stent) At the time I retired my disease was stage 4b, but we had kept it going that way for a long time
During this time working for the State of MN, I got involved with the Disabled American Veterans organization and have been heavily involved with it for a long time. I served as a trustee, Junior Vice Commander, Senior Vice Commander, Treasurer, Commander (3 terms) and am now the Adjutant for Chapter 2 of Saint Paul, MN. I am also the coordinator and man working person for the clothing donation program
In 2023 my kidney disease progressed to End Stage and I needed to start dialysis in March 2023. I chose Peritoneal Dialysis as the best way forward. I remain very active and am constantly working on projects, gardening and helping others whenever I can. I look forward to many more years of living well and being able to contribute to society and helping those that I can.
For medically cleared donors, giving the gift of life through living kidney donation has been proven to be very safe. DOVE will assist all prospective donors throughout the process and make sure they do not incur any out-of-pocket expenses related to the evaluation or surgery. A healthy person can live a normal life with one kidney and save Jerald‘s life with the other!
Your support, whether through spreading the word on social media or considering becoming a donor, can make a profound impact on his life and the life of his family!
Please click on the link below if you would like to learn more OR call (551) 233-1611