Henderson, Jerald "Jerry" 1942 - 2022
HENDERSON, STIERT, MINCKE, JENNINGS, EASTMAN, CHERRY, WRIGHT
Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 9/2/2022 at 15:01:01
Jerald "Jerry" Henderson, age 79, passed away on Monday, August 29, 2022 at his home in Ridgeway, Iowa.
Jerry was born October 27, 1942 in Riceville, Iowa to the late Gene and Lura (Stiert) Henderson. He was the youngest of 5 children. He and his older brother Tom still spoke on the phone 3 - 4 times per week until he passed. Tom has already expressed how much he will miss their calls.
Jerry married Debra Mincks of Calmar, Iowa in 1976. Jerry and Debbie enjoyed many fishing and camping trips over the years, as well as attending church together. They always took their dog Mitzie who hated to be left home alone and was truly “Jerry’s dog”, as she only liked other people when Jerry wasn’t around. Jerry and Debbie also enjoyed doing volunteer work such as Good Friday fish fries in Spillville, Iowa.
Jerry and Debbie had five children. Jerry was a proud father and if you talk to any of his children they will likely have a funny story about their dad to share. Jerry was also proud of his grandchildren and enjoyed many photos and stories of their participation in sports.
Jerry was always an outgoing and social person. Some of his fondest memories were when he owned the Stoplight Bar and Restaurant in Cresco, Iowa. Rumor has it his steaks were “the best around”. He went on to manage a few other bars, but the Stoplight was always the highlight. He loved to talk about those days and all the people he knew.
Jerry also went through some tough times in his life, but things began to change when he became involved with the Peace Lutheran Church in Ridgeway. Pastors Ginny and Phil Olson were pivotal individuals in Jerry’s life and he often expressed gratitude about their role in helping him find his place in the community. He became a devout Christian who thoroughly enjoyed attending church on Sunday and serving the church in a variety of ways. One of his proudest accomplishments was the new fence at the Lincoln Cemetery. He loved to just drive out there and admire it from time to time. Jerry’s later years are a testament to the power of prayer and that anyone can change their life for the better at any time.
Jerry also served his community through the American Legion and VFW. For many, many years he took on the role of organizing events to honor veterans and placing flags on their graves. He used to get so irritated with the mice that would get into the flags every year!
Survivors include his wife Debbie, children: Jodi Henderson, Jack (Lisa) Henderson, Lisa (Scott) Jennings, Kevin (Jan) Henderson and daughter in-law, Natasha Henderson, five grandchildren: Carly, Amira, Easton, Everett and Blake and a brother, Thomas “Tom” (Judi) Henderson. He also had many nieces and nephews who always enjoyed their time with Uncle Jerry.
He is preceded in death by his parents, son, Steven Henderson (2021), sisters: Shirley Eastman, Dorothy Cherry and Mary Jo Wright and a nephew, Mark Henderson.
Memorial services will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, September 2, 2022 at Peace Lutheran Church in Ridgeway. Visitation will be held on Thursday evening, September 1, 2022 at the church from 4:00 - 6:00 pm and again one hour prior to services on Friday morning. Inurnment and military honors will be held at Lincoln Cemetery in rural Ridgeway.
Source: Lindstrom Funeral Home database
Lincoln Cemetery
Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Jeff Getchell.
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