MENSCH, Jerome "Jerry" Edward 1951-2010
MENSCH, OBRIEN, NOLAND, WATSON, MUEHLSTEDT, WELSFORD
Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 2/19/2011 at 00:59:07
[Waterloo Courier, Sunday, September 5, 2010]
Feb. 14, 1951 - Aug. 26, 2010
Jerry Mensch died Thursday, Aug. 26, surrounded by his family after a brief battle with liver cancer.
He was born in Mason City to Maureen O'Brien Mensch and Jack Mensch and grew up in Plymouth, where his love for animals, goats and running barefoot started. Jerry's first job was cooking at the Yacht Club in Clear Lake.
He lived in Waterloo, graduating from Columbus High School in 1969. Jerry opened the first "Head Shop" in Mason City, The Family Trade Center on South Federal Avenue.
He married Ann Noland in 1972. They lived on the Mensch Family Farm and then their own farm outside Plymouth. Jerry worked as a silver and goldsmith for Morel Jewelers, Mason City, while raising goats, peacocks, guinea hens, Great Danes and mastering organic gardening. Jerry had a goat dairy in Plymouth, and showed goats all over the United States. He became a National Goat Association Judge reaching the Senior Judge Level and loved helping both kids and professionals see the beauty and strengths of each animal.
Jerry moved to Welcome, Mass., in 1986 as head herdsman for Brentland Goat Farms. Moving from one coast to another in 1996 he managed the goat herd and breeding program for Redwood Hills Goat Dairy Farms in Sebastopol, Calif. Jerry moved back home to the Midwest in 2005. Jerry's most recent venture was his eclectic shop "Worn Edges" on Main Street in Clear Lake. He designed custom jewelry, continued to do silver and gold repair, sold antiques and made unique organic mirrors. He raised Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, who became beloved members of many families. Jerry (aka the dog guy) took daily walks around Clear Lake with his pack of cavalier spaniels. He attracted friends wherever he lived, worked or played and introduced many of us to new friends. Jerry honored Mother Earth by creating and nurturing his gardens as he needed his hands in the dirt to complete his day. He was vibrant in his work and in how he lived his life. Jerry was feeling the desire and still creating jewelry in the days before he died.
His greatest accomplishment and that which brought him greatest pride was his son Joel, with whom he shared his artistic talents.
Jerry is survived by his son, Joel Mensch of Walker, Minn.; sisters, Kathy (Gene) Watson of Manly, Anne (Dennis) Muehlstedt of Clear Lake and Jean Welsford of Muskego, Wis.; and lifelong friend, Ann Noland of Walker, Minn. He leaves many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews who adored him as he adored them.
Jerry was preceded in death by his mother Maureen Mensch, father Jack Mensch, brother Tom Mensch, and grandparents, Happy and Glenn Mensch and Agnes and Bill O'Brien. Jerry hosted Labor Day Pig Roasts on his farm east of Plymouth for many years in the ‘70s and ‘80s which brought friends from far away together again. Jerry wanted to have "One Last Pig Roast" so that is how we will celebrate his energy, legacy and spirit. The best pig roasts have family, friends, music, stories, bonfires, potlucks and a pig.
Please join those who loved him dearly at the Mensch Halverson Family Farm, north of Mason City, on Saturday, Sept. 25, starting at 1 p.m. Bring a dish, guitars, songs and memories to share. Memorials can be sent to his family at P.O. Box 449, Clear Lake, IA 50428.
Black Hawk Obituaries maintained by Karen De Groote.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen