Slifka, Gerald "Jerry" Anton 1932 - 2020
SLIFKA, ZOTIKA, MALEK, COURTNEY, CARMEN, RODENZ, GOMER, BRUMMOND, LAHALIH, LENSING, SCHOLTES, HUGHES, STRAUBE, CHAPMAN, ZOBECK, GOODER, ROBERTS
Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 12/27/2020 at 12:47:16
Gerald “Jerry” Slifka, 88, of Cresco, Iowa, died on Friday, October 16, 2020, at Evans Memorial Home in Cresco.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 21, 2020, at Notre Dame Catholic Church in Cresco, IA, with Father Jacob Rouse officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Cresco, IA. Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 20, 2020, at Hindt-Hudek Funeral Home in Cresco, with Rosary recited at 4:30 p.m. Visitation will continue an hour prior to the time of service Wednesday at the church.
Gerald Anton Slifka was born on July 28, 1932, in Cresco, IA to Anton and Ella (Zotika) Slifka. Jerry was enlisted in the Air Force during the Korean War, where he was stationed in Japan among several other locations. Jerry loved everything about airplanes and thoroughly enjoyed service life. Jerry was stationed in Las Vegas from September of 1954 to September of 1956. While in Las Vegas, he tried his hand at water skiing and snow skiing. In December of 1958, Jerry married Shirlee Malek. Jerry and Shirlee moved to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin before coming back to Cresco to work with his father in the plumbing and electrical business. After his father’s passing, he started his own business where he was very skilled as a plumber and electrician and was out on many calls in the middle of the night. His customers greatly appreciated his dedication and excellence. After his retirement, Jerry enjoyed gardening and yardwork alongside his wife, Shirlee. Jerry constructed several flowerbeds and enjoyed rock hunting with Shirlee.
Jerry and Shirlee both laughed often and had a passion to enjoy life. Jerry was a real handyman and could fix anything; he would even call his kids just to ask if anything needed fixing. He even brought his tools with him to Evans. He also liked to put together models. Jerry being a car enthusiast (Ford) built a few hot rods during his lifetime and continued his love for automobiles throughout his life. He was an avid NASCAR follower, and even his initials were G.A.S. Jerry treasured his friends and family. He loved to entertain and was always hospitable. Jerry was loved by everyone and always surrounded by many friends. Hugs were mandatory at his house; you could not leave without getting one or two. Jerry was super proud of his children and grandchildren.
Jerry is survived by his children Tim Slifka of Cresco and his son Jerry Jeff Slifka of Sturgis, SD, Tammy Courtney of Cresco, and her children Cody (Danielle) Courtney of Cresco; Brinley, Kaden, Ryker, Taelyn; Cyle (Adrianne) Courtney of Cresco; Carter, Chloe, and Cash; Cari (Evan) Carmen of Cresco; Mason, Blake, Maverick, Max; Cheyann (Jett) Rodenz of Cresco with their son, Rowen; Tina Gomer of Stewartville, MN, and her sons Adam Brummond (Sarah Lahalih) of Los Angeles, CA and their daughter Salem Rae, Jeff (Laura) Brummond of Whitefish, Montana, Mitchel (Brianna) Brummond of Stewartville, MN and Cameron Gomer of Grand Meadow, MN; Teddie Lensing of North Liberty, IA and her children Jomarie (DJ) Scholtes of Waukon, Katilyn (Tyrrell) Hughes of Thornton, and Dominik (Chelsea) Lensing of Cedar Rapids. Also, united later in life and welcomed by the family, son Jon Straube of Longmont, CO, and daughter Terri Chapman of Las Vegas, NV. The family got larger and so did the love.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Shirlee in October of 2019, son-in-law Dan Courtney, and brothers-in-law Leland Malek, Lavern Zobeck, Donny Gooder, and Ron Roberts.
The family would like to thank Evans Memorial Home and Regional Health Services of Howard County for the exceptional care they provided for Jerry. He sincerely appreciated the doctors and nurses that cared for him.
Due to COVID-19, social distancing will be practiced and masks are recommended.
Source: Hindt Funeral Home database
Calvary Cresco Cemetery
Howard Obituaries maintained by Constance McDaniel Hall.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen