Jerry Lee Schwertfeger, 05 May 1950 – 24 Oct 2012

SCHWERTFEGER, RIECK, MCCLURE, CHILDERSTON

Posted By: Sandy Ficken (email)
Date: 11/13/2012 at 14:19:38

Jerry Schwertfeger, 62

Funeral services for Jerry L. Schwertfeger, 62, Winterset, were held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 30, at the First United Methodist Church, Winterset. He died Oct. 24, 2012, while vacationing in Page, Ariz., with his wife.

The Rev. Dr. Beverlee Bell officiated at the service. Soloists Jon Barrett and Haley Kessinger sang “Temporary Home” and “You Raise Me Up.” Congregational hymns were “Holy, Holy, Holy” and “Amazing Grace.”

Graveside and burial services were held at 2 p.m. at Goldenrod Cemetery, Deep River. Special music included “What A Wonderful World” and “Somewhere Over The Rainbow.” Pallbearers were Hal Jackson, Jason Salton, Sonny Kneedler, Mark Jobst, Jim Nelson and Jeff Olson.

Memorials may be made to the Madison County Covered Bridge Preservation Association or to a fund established in his name for scholarships at Winterset High School.

Ochiltree Funeral Service and Aftercare, Winterset, was in charge of arrangements.

Jerry Lee Schwertfeger was born May 5, 1950, in Grinnell, the son of Lewis and Delores (Rieck) Schwertfeger. He grew up in Deep River and was a 1968 graduate of Deep River Millersburg High School. He attended the University of Iowa where he received a degree in pharmacy and became a loyal Hawkeye fan.

He married Beth Ann McClure July 23, 1971, at the Presbyterian Church, Deep River. He was a pharmacist in Winterset for nearly four decades and was part owner of Montross Pharmacy. He served as mayor of Winterset from 1994 to 2006. He was a prominent leader in the Winterset community, not only as mayor but serving on the Winterset Park and Rec Board as member and president and the Winterset School Board where he rose to board chairman, as well as serving on the Madison County Covered Bridge Preservation Association.

While mayor, he was particularly proud to be a part of the city hall renovation of the old public library and the addition of the new Winterset Junior High School.

He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Winterset, as well as a member of the Optimists, Lions and Jaycees. His professional memberships included the IPA and APhA and he served as a Cub Scout leader and covered bridge festival chairman.

Above all else, he was a devoted son, husband, father and grandfather who would most want to be remembered for this. His service to the community was something he was very proud of but he remained humble and gracious in all his leadership roles.

Schwertfeger is survived by his wife of 41 years, Beth, Winterset; his mother, Delores Schwertfeger, Deep River; two children, Jeremy and Sara Schwertfeger, Urbandale, and Amy and Ron Childerston, Pella; siblings, Ron and Genie Schwertfeger, Des Moines; Lou Schwertfeger, Indianola, and Donna Schwertfeger, Deep River; five grandchildren, Anna, Luke and Jack Childerston and Trey and Charlee Schwertfeger; a brother-in-law, Tom McClure, Williamsburg, and many nieces, nephews, extended family and a host of friends.

He was preceded in death by his father and an infant brother, Steven.

The Williamsburg Journal Tribune, Iowa County Obituaries , 08 Nov 2012, pg 13