Gerald 'Jerry' L. Klaas

Gerald Jerry L. Klaas, 81, of Marshalltown, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, December 02, 2014, at the Iowa River Hospice Home with his family by his side. Funeral services for Jerry will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, December 6, 2014, at the Immaculate Conception Oratory Church located in Haverhill, Iowa, with Father Greg Bahl officiating. Public visitation will be held on Friday, December 5, 2014 from 5:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. Vigil service at Mitchell Family Funeral Home. Memorial Contributions may be directed in Jerrys name to his family. For further information or to send a condolence please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call (641) 844-1234. Gerald L. Klaas was born on March 7, 1933, in Marshalltown, Iowa, the son of Joe and Coletta (Stalzer) Klaas. He was educated in Laurel, Haverhill, and at St. Marys High School in Marshalltown. Jerry served in the United States Army during the Korean War from March 18, 1953, through January 27, 1955, and he was honorably discharged at that time. On the GI bill, he took up flying lessons at Neiderhauser Airways in Marshalltown. He was united in marriage to Catherine Cochran on October 27, 1962, at St. Henrys Church. Jerry farmed his entire life in the Van Cleve area before retiring in 1999. He also worked for Marshalltown Trowel for 23 years before retiring. Jerry was a member of the UAW Local-893, Central Iowa Coon Hunters Association, Marshalltown Legion, and the Catholic Order of Foresters. His passion was spending time with his grandkids. He also loved flying air planes, fishing, gardening, telling stories, NASCAR, playing the slots at the casino, playing cards especially Pepper, and coon hunting with his redbone coon hounds, that he raised for years. Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Cathy Klaas; children: Lori (Gary Stevens) Small, Joe (Laura) Klaas, Brenda (Scott) Dankbar, Maureen (Chris) Sawyer, Carol Klaas-Vert and Terry Mills; grandchildren: Ashley Klaas, Taylor Klaas, Dylan Klaas, Cael Sawyer, and Chloe Sawyer; one brother, Virgil Klaas; one sister, Darlene Hughes; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Jerry is preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Coletta Klaas; an older brother, Joseph (who died in infancy); a son in law, Terry Small; as well as many aunts, uncles, and nephews.