Gerald L. Naumann (1931-2020)

NAUMANN, BEHNKE

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 12/27/2020 at 20:28:50

Gerald L. “Gerry” Naumann, age 87, of Dubuque, was called home peacefully at 5:54 a.m., on Friday, December 21, 2018, at Stonehill Care Center, surrounded by his loving family. To honor Gerry’s life, funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., on Friday, December 28, 2018, at St. Anthony’s Church, 1880 Saint Ambrose Street, with Rev. Steven J. Rosonke and Rev. Lloyd “Paul” Ouderkirk officiating. To celebrate Gerry’s life, family and friends may visit from 4:00 p.m., until 8:00 p.m., on Thursday, December 27, 2018, at Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, where there will be a parish scripture service held at 3:30 p.m. Burial will be in St. John the Baptist Cemetery in Centralia.

Gerry was born on February 6, 1931, in Sherrill, Iowa, son of Alfred and Anna (Behnke) Naumann.

Gerry proudly served his country with the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was united in marriage to the love of his life, Phyllis Ouderkirk, on October 30, 1954, at St. John the Baptist Church in Peosta, Iowa, and they have been blessed with 64 wonderful years together and 8 children. Gerry was a hard worker who supported his family by devoting 45 years to the Dubuque Packing Company and FDL, until his well earned retirement. Gerry’s Catholic faith was very important to him, he was a long-time member of St. Anthony’s Church, as well as a former member of the Holy Name Society. In his free time, Gerry could often be found out on the golf course seeking out that elusive “hole in one”, or hitting the lanes, looking to score a perfect 300, with friends from the Dubuque Bowling 700 Club. Gerry’s love of the outdoors also often took him out hiking at Swiss Valley, the Mines of Spain or along Heritage Trail. He was meticulous when it came to caring for his yard, making sure the length was always within the proper range of keeping to his high standards, and that the weeds and fallen leaves were non-existent. He also had a green thumb when it came to the garden, and was happy to always share his harvest with family and friends. Gerry was an avid sports fan who looked forward to baseball season when he could root for his St. Louis Cardinals, and then eagerly awaited football season when he was able to watch his beloved Green Bay Packers play. Above all, however, Gerry’s family was the most important aspect of his life, he loved traveling the country with Phyllis to visit the children, always looking forward to everyone being together at big family gatherings. We are heartbroken at losing our husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and brother, but know that he is now spending his 1st Christmas in Heaven with all of his loved ones called home ahead of him, free of the health issues that he has so bravely faced these past few months.

Those left to cherish Gerry’s memory include

his loving wife,
Phyllis Naumann, Dubuque, IA;

his children,
Mary Schneider, Hazel Green, WI,
Eugene (Sherry) Naumann, Hanover, IL,
Marvin (Michelle) Naumann, Baltimore, MD,
Michael (Karri) Naumann, Orlando, FL,
David (Julie) Naumann, Dubuque, IA,
Kathy (Kevin) Vaughn, Dubuque, IA,
Randy (Amy) Naumann, Peosta, IA
and Janet (Tony Smith) Naumann, Cedar Rapids, IA;

his 13 grandchildren,
Kayla (Andy), Micah, Josiah, Katie, Amber (Jojo), Matthew, Danielle, Shawn (Jessica), Kevin Michael, Sam, Gabe, Max, Eli;

his 5 great-grandchildren;

his siblings,
Irvin (Mary) Naumann, Dubuque, IA,
Al “Whitey” Naumann, Dubuque, IA,
Darlene (Don) Schmitt, Fenton, MO,
Harlan (Rose) Naumann, East Dubuque, IL
and Donald (Helen) Naumann, Peosta, IA;

and his sisters-in-law,
Donna Naumann, Epworth, IA,
Joan Naumann, Dubuque, IA
and Peggy Naumann, Dubuque, IA.

Gerry was preceded in death by his parents; a son-in-law, Steve Schneider; 3 brothers, Melvern “Curly” Naumann, Ronney Naumann and Kenneth “Dutch” Naumann; 2 sisters-in-law, Mary Naumann and Darlene Naumann; and a brother-in-law, Joe Hoerner.

Gerry’s family would like to thank Charlie Kutsch for his years of friendship on the golf course, as well as the nurses and staff of Stonehill, for all of their kind, compassionate and professional care of Gerry and his family.

Memorials will be accepted by the family to be distributed among his favorite charities.