Jerome Edward Koskovich

Jerry Koskovich, 88, of Rochester, passed away on March 17, 2026 at his home with his wife by his side.

Jerry was born in Morris, Minnesota on November 12, 1937 to Edward and Esther (Schlueter) Koskovich. The family also lived in New Mexico, Lake Park, Mn, Detroit Lakes, MN, and in Fosston, MN, where Jerry graduated high school.

Jerry attended the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, ND and graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering.

Jerry married Marlyce Barsness in McIntosh, MN on September 5, 1959.

After graduation, Jerry and Marlyce moved to Pasadena, CA where Jerry accepted a position with the Los Angeles building and safety department.

They returned to Minnesota when Jerry joined his father's lumber yard and construction business in Winthrop, MN.

They later moved to Rochester, MN where Jerry was hired as the head of the City Building and Safety Department. During this time, Jerry also passed the exams and became a licensed Professional Engineer.

While working for the city, Jerry became interested in the wooden truss industry and ultimately designed and built the first automated system for designing, cutting, and manufacturing wooden trusses. The Koskovich Company (originally Engineering Services Company, ESCO) became the industry leader in automated truss systems which provided Jerry with several industry awards and magazine articles. Jerry was known as the 'Father of Automation' in the wooden truss industry.

Jerry ultimately sold the company to a major competitor in the industry, and he and Marlyce entered their retirement years.

With the sale of his company, Jerry and Marlyce formed the Jerome and Marlyce Koskovich Foundation which financially supports Christian colleges and organizations.

Jerry's main passion other than his business was wooden boats. Jerry built his first boat in California and restored a 1929 22-foot Chris Craft (Tango) and a 1952 50-foot Chris Craft (Marjery II) in Minnesota.

Jerry also enjoyed flying his own airplanes and was a proud owner of an old Stinson as well as a higher powered Navion which he flew on many business and pleasure trips. When Jerry could no longer fly his airplanes, he donated them to Wings of Hope.

Jerry was also a fan of British automobiles and procured a fleet of four Jaguar's in addition to his classic 1962 MG.

After nearly 60 years of marriage, Marlyce passed away. Later, Jerry married Nancy Johnston who had lost her husband.

As Jerry's cognitive and medical issues became too severe for Nancy to handle alone, they moved into the Charter House in Rochester where Jerry received excellent care until the time of his death.

Jerry was a long-time member of Calvary Baptist Church and financially supported Calvary church as well as a Alliance Chapel in Red Lodge, Montana where Jerry owned a home.

Jerry was preceded in death by his wife Marlyce, brother Barry, and by his parents.

Jerry is survived by his wife Nancy Johnston and many extended family members.

The funeral will be held at Ranfranz & Vine Funeral Home in Rochester, MN on Sunday, March 22 at 2pm. Visitation will be held 2 hours prior to the funeral service with a lunch following the service.

Memorials to Calvary Baptist Church, the Jerome & Marlyce Koskovich Foundation, or to an Alzheimer research organization.

Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Jerry's family. To share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com