Gerald “Jerry” Lazalde, age 80, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Monday, February 14, 2022.  He was born in Chicago on December 6, 1941, moved to McHenry as a teenager and graduated from McHenry East High School in 1959.  He proudly served in the United States Navy from 1960-1964.

Giving back to the community was very important to Gerald, as evidenced by his membership in and involvement with the Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce, Knights of Columbus (4^th Degree Knight),  VFW, American Legion, and The Church of the Holy Apostles.  He was always happy to play golf in a fundraiser!  One of his favorite contributions was umpiring Little League games.

Gerald sold insurance for over 50 years, working for Northwestern Mutual and Metropolitan Life before opening his own business, The Lazalde Insurance Agency.  In most recent years he specialized in assisting clients with understanding Medicare.

His greatest pleasures were traveling with his beloved wife Arlene, and fishing.  They enjoyed yearly trips together to Mexico, took a few cruises, and fished in many places in Wisconsin, especially enjoying Birchwood with friends.

Gerald is survived by his wife of 36 years, Arlene Freund; children Anthony (Ruth) Lazalde, Michael (Kim) Lazalde, Daniel (Kate) Freund, and Michele Tiess (Matthew Gester); grandchildren Sean (Natalie) Tiess, Lily, Emma, and Kate Freund, Tyler and Mariah Lazalde; great-granddaughter McKenzie Tiess; and sister Donna (Craig) Touissant.

Services will be held on Friday, February 25^th at The Church of the Holy Apostles, 5211 Bull Valley Road, McHenry.  Visitation will be from 9:30 am – 10:30 am and mass at 10:30 am.  In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Knights of Columbus.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Justen Funeral Home and Crematory, McHenry, IL.  For information please contact the funeral home at 815-385-2400, or visit www.justenfh.com, where friends and loved ones may share memories of Jerry on his tribute wall.