Rev. Gerald A. Wolter

Rev. Gerald Arthur Wolter, beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, pastor and friend, passed away on July 30th, 2023 at the age of 95 at Hildebrandt Hospice in Rochester, NY. Gerald (“Jerry”) took his last breath as his eldest daughter led the singing of “Great is Thy Faithfulness” at his bedside. Jerry was an old school pastor who believed meeting people at their time of need was as important as the words he spoke from the pulpit on Sunday morning. Jerry’s kind and gentle spirit was evident to all, and he will be greatly missed.

Gerald Arthur Wolter was born on March 12th, 1928 on the family farm in Edmunds County, South Dakota. Jerry was the son of Arthur Edwin Wolter and Doris Edith Bailey Wolter. In high school, Jerry was on the Redfield High School debate team with a young Miss Helen Georgene Holt. The high school sweethearts were married on August 1st, 1951, a marriage lasting nearly seventy years until Helen’s death in July 2021.

Jerry had a love of music all through his life; in high school, Jerry played the cornet in the school band, and sang in the choir. While pursuing a bachelor's degree in religion from Miltonvale Wesleyan, Jerry took voice lessons and participated in choral singing. Many people over the years have enjoyed hearing his deep bass singing voice. Jerry also had a love for learning. After graduating from Miltonvale, Jerry attended Iowa State Teacher’s College majoring in journalism with a minor in English; he received his B.A. in August 1952 and was certified to teach in many fields (although he never taught). In later years, Jerry received an M.S. in Administration and Counseling from Alfred University. Jerry completed eight summers of education for ordination in the United Methodist Church, and he began pursuing a Ph.D from Drew University (although decided to withdraw from the program to focus on his family and his ministry).

Jerry’s career as a pastor spanned many decades. Over the course of his life, he preached 3,336 sermons, officiated 405 weddings and led 1069 funerals. He served as a pastor at Waterloo First Church (Waterloo, Iowa), La Porte City Wesleyan Methodist Church (Iowa), Waite Park Wesleyan Methodist Church (Minneapolis, MN), College Church/Houghton College (as chaplain/registrar) (Houghton, NY), Andover/Greenwood United Methodist Churches (NY), Spencer United Methodist Church (Hornell, NY), Grace United Methodist Church (Rochester, NY), First United Methodist Church (North Tonawanda, NY), Wesley United Methodist Church (Rochester, NY) and Aldersgate United Methodist Church (Rochester, NY).

Gerald will be dearly missed by daughters Elisabeth (Benito) Martinez, Lois (Laurence Brown) Wolter, Laura (Norman) Moulton, daughter-in-law Rev. Dr. Tisa Anders, grandchildren Christine (Nick) Vuono, Charles (Lindsay Truesdell) Wolter, Jr., Stephanie (Christopher) Agostinelli, Jonathan (Julia) Martinez, Heidi (Ryan) Hanes, Sarah (Daniel) White, Christopher Brown, Andrew Moulton, Stephen Moulton, great-grandchildren Laura Vuono, Margot Agostinelli, Max Agostinelli, Rachel Martinez, Peter Martinez, David Martinez, Philip Martinez, Jonah Hanes, Levi Hanes, Asher Hanes, Jeremiah Hanes, Abigail Hanes, Alyssia Hanes, Laraina Hanes, John White, Paul White, his sisters Shirley Sime and Bonnie Steward, and many other family members and long-time friends. Jerry was predeceased by beloved wife Helen Georgene Holt Wolter, son Charles Arthur Wolter, and sister Dorothea Schurch.

A memorial service will be held August 12th, 2023 at 11:00 am at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Greece, NY.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Gerald A. Wolter Memorial Fund at Aldersgate United Methodist Church