Jerrill A. Kolker
Jerrill A. Kolker, 79, of Guttenberg passed away Oct. 5, 2023 at home.
Visitation and funeral services were Monday, Oct. 9, at St. Mary’s Church, Guttenberg.
Jerry was born the son of John and Ruth (Schrunk) Kolker on Jan. 17, 1944. Jerry graduated from Guttenberg High School in 1962. After high school, he worked various heavy equipment construction jobs before beginning his 33-year career at John Deere. Jerry was a proud UAW worker. Once Jerry retired he greatly enjoyed working at Rausch’s and driving dump truck for Jeff Friedlein for 17 years.
On Oct. 17, 1966, Jerry married the love of his life, Patricia Ann Kann. They were married for 56 years, together raising their three sons, Jody, Lee and Chris. Jerry was a major organizer of the Guttenberg Men’s Softball league along with many others. Jerry was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Fraternal Order of Eagles Club, the Guttenberg Country Club, Clayton Ridge Athletic Booster Club and a vocal member of the Guttenberg School District school board. He was also a member of the St. Mary’s Home School Association that founded the St. Mary’s Fall Festival. Jerry also called bingo for St. Mary’s for 12 years. Jerry was always available to volunteer at St. Mary’s School. Jerry greatly enjoyed playing softball for John’s Feed. Once he could no longer play softball, he took up bass fishing until he discovered golf, playing many rounds a day between delivering truck loads of construction material. Jerry loved deer hunting with Doug’s group in his younger years and skunk hunting with Red at the golf course in his later years. Jerry attended every match, meet, concert, game and other school events that he could for his kids, grandkids, nephews and nieces. He drove for hours without hesitation and found joy in cheering on his loved ones. He greatly enjoyed giving immediate performance feedback to any official within earshot. He spent endless hours playing Euchre and Cribbage with his kids and grandkids and at the Eagles or any place with a Euchre tournament. Jerry was an adamant Chicago Bears fan, never letting anyone forget that the Bears had won the 1985 Super Bowl. He loved saying “Da Bears.” Above all else, Jerry’s greatest joy was spending time with his grandkids and extended family and would never miss an opportunity to do so. Jerry was a great storyteller, however we will never know how much of his stories were true. Jerry loved to give everyone a hard time.
Jerry is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Patricia; sons, Jody (Sandra), Lee (Kelly), Chris (Tara); grandchildren, Alexandra, Gabriella, Zachary (Katheryn), Evan (Abby), Jack, Grace, Lydia, Caroline; siblings, Janice Andregg, Judy Tepper, and Rita Takes; sisters-in-law, Marilyn, Joann and Sandy Kolker; many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
He was proceeded in death by his father, John T. Kolker; mother and step-father, Ruth and Eddie Benstine; brothers, John R., Jay D., James A. Kolker; mother- and father-in-law, Rose and Fritz Kann; brothers-in-law, John R. and Joe C. Kann, Bob Takes, Matt Tepper, Jon Andregg; grandson, Aidan P. Kolker; nephew, Jeff Kolker; niece, Jill Peterson, and great-nephew, Daniel Kann.
Memorials can be directed to Friends of St. Mary’s Guttenberg, Guttenberg Municipal Hospital, Mercy Cancer Center Dubuque or a charity of your choice.
The family would like to thank Dr. Michele Dikkers, the medical teams at the Guttenberg Hospital, the Mercy Cancer Center, the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, and special thanks to the Guttenberg EMTs.
