Jerry Lee Hinshaw, 24 Nov 1958 - 04 Sep 2021

HINSHAW, HARRIS, SCALLEY, NIELSEN, FRIESEN, SCHNEEKLOTH, BRUNKHORST, JAHLAS, SNIPES, POKRANT, HOLLOWAY

Posted By: Sarah Witte (email)
Date: 9/8/2021 at 14:48:52

Jerry Lee Hinshaw, 62, passed away on September 4, surrounded by his wife and kids. Jerry was a valiant fighter against tonsil cancer which had metastasized to his liver. His earthly pain is no more and his glorious reward as a Believer is entering into Heaven.

A celebration of life service will be held at St. James Lutheran Church, Victor, on Sunday, September 12 at 1:30 p.m. The visitation will be held before the service from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. when the family will be present. Honorary pallbearers are Bob Brunkhorst, Zach Brunkhorst, Abe Friesen, Kim Jahlas, Rick Nowotny, Tim Schneekloth, Randy Smith, and Dale Snipes.

Jerry was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, on November 24, 1958 to Gerald and Perry Ann (Harris) Hinshaw. For most of his childhood, Jerry lived in Abilene, Texas.

After graduation from Cooper High School in Abilene, Jerry served aboard the USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN 69) for four years. After several years working as a civilian, he re-enlisted in the Navy for seven years, assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 15 aboard USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71), serving in the Captain’s Office. He visited many places while in the Navy, including the Mediterranean countries, the fjords of Norway, the pyramids in Egypt, and months-long deployments to Japan, the Philippines, and South Korea. His favorite places were Majorca, Marseilles, Jerusalem, and St. Thomas. Jerry was honorably discharged in 1992 with the rank of Yeoman First Class (YN1). Jerry was very proud and honored to have served his country.

Jerry finished his civilian workforce career as an over-the-road and regional truck driver with Heartland and United Natural Foods, Inc. before taking early retirement in 2013.

Jerry married Karen Scalley and, to this union, Jeremy and John were born. The couple later divorced.

On October 3, 1998, Jerry was united in marriage with Debra Nielsen, the love of his life and best friend. Their daughter Shary was born two years later. They lived in Victor all of their married life.

Jerry looked forward to spending time with his wife, kids, and grandchildren, and attending his kids’ school and sports activities. He loved his kids and grandchildren very much. Jerry enjoyed woodworking and making such things as wood beverage coolers, shelves, birdhouses, and benches. He liked gardening and making salsa from the abundance of tomatoes he grew each summer. Jerry’s favorite activity was fishing: fishing with his dad when he was a young boy, fishing with Fred and Mike on the Corpus Christi Bay, and fishing with Deb and the kids at Lake Iowa.

Jerry’s quiet and friendly nature made him well-liked by everyone; he was a blessing to many people.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Deb; son Jeremy (Amanda), Conroy; son John (Holly), Marengo; daughter Shary, Iowa City; grandchildren Jace, Josie, and Egen; sister Brenda (Abe) Friesen, Lubbock, TX; brother Kevin (Toni) Hinshaw, Thornton, CO; mother-in-law Sharon Nielsen, Springville; sisters-in-law Sandy (Tim) Schneekloth, Marion and Kris (Bob) Brunkhorst, Waverly; uncles Bill (Gladys) Harris, Bob Harris, Ronnie Harris, and Roger (Joan) Hinshaw; nieces and nephews; cousins; good friends Kim and Chris Jahlas, and Dale and Heather Snipes; Navy mentors and good buddies Fred Pokrant and Mike Holloway.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, baby sister Karen Dalene, grandparents, father-in-law Norman, and several aunts and uncles.

Deb would like to thank family members and friends for their love and support during the last two-and-a-half years. Jerry and Deb were humbled by the generosity of everyone. The family extends its thanks to the Essence of Life Hospice Care Team for their kindness and care during Jerry’s last days. Thank you, Pastor Michael Kolesar, for your friendship, and Conversation and Scripture Wednesday visits.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to the Victor Fire Department or to Essence of Life Hospice in Amana, Iowa, in care of Smith Funeral Home.

The family requests you join them for refreshments and fellowship at the church after the celebration of life and graveside service. Friends not attending the graveside service are welcome to remain at the church for refreshments at this time.

Published on Smith Funeral Home website, an abbreviated version published in The Gazette on September 8, 2021.