Gerrietts, Terry A. 1955-2002

GERRIETTS, PALMER, SWISHER

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, Volunteer (email)
Date: 8/10/2008 at 21:31:14

LE MARS, Iowa -- Terry A. Gerrietts, 46, of Le Mars died Saturday, Feb. 23, 2002, at a Sioux City hospital.

Memorial services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. John's Lutheran Church E.L.C.A., in Le Mars, with Pastor Burt Burwell, A.i.M. officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Cemetery, Le Mars, with military rites conducted by American Legion Wasmer Post 241. Visitation will be after 2 p.m. today, with a prayer service at 7 p.m., at Carlsen Funeral Home in Le Mars.

Terry Allen Gerrietts was born July 25, 1955, in Le Mars, the son of Lowell and Betty (Palmer) Gerrietts. He was baptized on Aug. 14, 1955, and confirmed on May 30, 1971, at St. John's Lutheran Church. He graduated from Le Mars Community High School in May 1974. Terry enlisted in the U.S. Navy in August 1974, and served his country until October 1980. He had been stationed at San Diego, Great Lakes Naval Station and later in Hawaii. While stationed in Hawaii, he served a period of time in Japan. He returned to the states and was stationed in Virginia and Tennessee prior to his discharge. He had achieved the rank of electrical technician first class, and earned a high security clearance.

Following his discharge, Terry returned to Le Mars and began his career with Wells' Dairy in 1981. He began in production at the North Plant and transferred to the newly built South Plant as a machine operator. He continued to work at the South Plant until his health prevented him from working in April 2001.

Terry was united in marriage to Caroline Swisher on Feb. 19, 1983, at St. John's Lutheran Church.

He was a lifelong member of St. John's Lutheran Church. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, working on stock cars and reading to broaden his knowledge. He enjoyed young children, especially when the opportunity allowed for his "Donald Duck" voice.

Survivors include his wife, Caroline of Le Mars; two children, Josh and Stephanie, both of Le Mars; his mother, Betty Gerrietts of Le Mars; three sisters, Bonnie Gardner and her husband, Larry of Hornick, Iowa, Sue Meier of Le Mars, and Lori Hoefling and her husband, Robert of Marcus, Iowa; two brothers and their wives, Gary and Kim Gerrietts and Todd and Laurie Gerrietts, all of Remsen, Iowa; and several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Lowell Gerrietts in July 1995; paternal grandparents, Conrad and Mary Gerrietts; and maternal grandparents, Elmer and Beulah Palmer.

Honorary pallbearers will be Scott Mason, Kevin DeBoer, Dave Moir, Glenn Kellen and Jim Kinney.

~Source: The Sioux City Journal, Feb. 26, 2002--part of the D. Easton Obituary Collection