Gerald Fritz Vedder
Gerald Fritz Vedder, 85, of Delta Township, Michigan, passed away unexpectedly on July 2, 2025. Gerald was born in Lansing, Michigan on August 19, 1939, to Erna (Kloppert) and Fritz Vedder. He is survived by his two sons Fritz (Becky), and Erich (Tiffany) Vedder, their mother, Janice (Vedder) Whipple, beloved granddaughters Alexis, Kendall, Allison, and Madelyn, his sister Marilyn Bennett of Fountain Valley, California and her sons James and Brett, and Gerald’s dear friend Shellie Fournier and her daughter Kassie Fournier.
Gerald graduated from Sexton High School in 1957, and later from General Motors Institute, with a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering. He was employed as an engineer at General Motors – Oldsmobile and later Buick, Oldsmobile, and Cadillac (BOC) Group, and retired on September 1, 1992 following 25 years of service.
He served in many capacities including, a junior engineer who assisted in developing the first generation 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado (Motor Trend Car of the Year), president of the Lansing Liederkranz Club, secretary of the Cass County Dear and Bear Club in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, and
member of Emanuel First Lutheran Church of Lansing.
Gerald enjoyed spending time with family and friends, attending his grandchildren’s activities and Michigan State University sporting events, golfing, O scale and Lionel model railroading, and time away at deer camp.
Visitation will be held Monday, July 14, 2025, from 4-7 p.m. at Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel, 325 W. Washtenaw St., Lansing, MI, and Funeral Service on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, 11 a.m. with visitation an hour before the service at Emanuel First Lutheran Church of Lansing, 1001 North Capitol Ave., Lansing, MI, with interment and luncheon following.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Lung Association, Emanuel First Lutheran Church of Lansing, and the Steam Railroading Institute in Owosso, Michigan.
10 Messages to “Gerald Fritz Vedder”
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Geoff Weller
July 4, 2025 at 7:12 amVery sad and surprised to hear of Gerald’s passing. He taught me critical skills early in my career at General Motors and many memories working with him.
John Sawyer
July 5, 2025 at 1:43 amI miss him already. He was a regular attendee at our GM Lansing Social Club monthly luncheons for many years. I enjoyed talking to him about his life long passion for trains and the 1/4 scale design/build impressive system he had under construction.
Kathleen Leitz
July 5, 2025 at 6:17 pmVedder family so sorry to hear about your loss. Prayers for you all during this difficult time. Tom & Kathy Leitz
Larry Twichell
July 7, 2025 at 9:26 pmI stayed with Jerry at the lake the final month at GMI. I enjoyed being with him all 4 years in Flint.
Peter Dunlap
July 8, 2025 at 8:17 amErich and Fritz. I admired your Dad for his many talents and incredible work ethic. He was always there to help when my projects turned into disaster, such as a disposal that he completed on his back while I watched. A great neighbor and friend. I’m sorry that we won’t be able to attend but our thoughts are with you both and your families. Peter and Mary Margaret
The Stahelin Family
July 8, 2025 at 11:31 amErich and Fritz, we are so sorry for your loss. Your dad was a great person who we enjoyed talking to and seeing at family events. Prayers and hugs to you both and your families.
Richard Hicks
July 9, 2025 at 5:45 pmFritz and Erich, many fond memories of your dad from ski trips and times spent in Northern Mickigan. He will. be missedby by all who new him! Prayers to both of you and your family’s!
Jill munger
July 12, 2025 at 6:01 pmJanice, my heartfelt sympathy for the loss of your dear husband. I am so sorry. My love goes out to you. Jill
Larry Doyle
July 14, 2025 at 10:59 amHere are my good memories of my friend Gerry Vedder
I hired in at Oldsmobile Methods Engineering in June, 1964. Gerry was already working there. I soon became one good friend among many of Gerry’s. First it was the wilder, single days; later, as couples. Gerry was an usher at my wedding.
Gerry was, indeed, instrumental in setting up the assembly line, in the oldest of Oldsmobile’s Main Plant buildings, to assemble the Oldsmobile Toronado. Introduced as a 1966 model, it was the first mass produced front wheel drive vehicle since the Cord 810/812 of 1937.
Gerry bought one of the first Toros off the line. Not long after, Michigan’s Department of State noticed Gerry had a few too many points attached to his driver’s license and reduced his driving privileges to work only. For a short time, friends were tapped to become his driver for other activities outside of getting to work. I was that driver a couple times, so I had the wheel of that Toronado in my hands rather than my old Chevy. A night-time favorite spot was the Coral Gables. There were great bands, and its location just beyond the city limits of East Lansing, dry in those days, made for lots of beer.
Those single days, in the winter, included skiing – a weekly night-time trip to Mt. Brighton, along with a number of Bldg. 40-2 co-workers, and “up north” on weekends. I was never a hunter, but there were always great stories around the office from Gerry relating those trips to U.P. with his hunting buddies.
Off in different directions, work-wise, and Gerry’s retirement about fifteen years ahead of me, we pretty much lost track of each other. My retirement in 2005 found our paths crossing more often, including GM retiree activities of the club now known as the GM Lansing Social Club. And there was the Wednesday afternoon golf league at Centennial Acres. Originally called “The Emanuel Golf League”, it was Gerry who inspired me to join. I just loved to “get under his skin”, when we’d meet up in the rotation of matches a couple times each summer.
No longer able to play golf the past few years because of his health issues, it was always fun to see Gerry at Third Wednesday Retiree Luncheons, and catch up on the latest.
Sixty one years of friendship is a long while. I miss you, Good Buddy.
Larry Doyle
Grand Ledge, MI
Michael Weller
July 15, 2025 at 7:10 amTo Erich, Tiffany, your girls and the rest of the Vedder family, so sorry for the loss of your father and grandfather. I met him a few times over the years, always a good conversation to be had. So many similarities between your father and mine. Both GM retirees, both had a love of model railroading, and family. I would have to imagine a beer or five here and there also, lol.
Having read others comments on here, this is what I imagine…
Gerry got on that train to the skies above, having a beer or two for the ride along the way.
Reminiscing the good times had here as a new journey begins.
He has made it to the never ending golf course above, where the sun shines infinitely.
Godspeed to you all.