Gerald John Speck 1926-2011

SPECK, KAISER, CORNWELL

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/31/2013 at 10:24:50

Sioux City Journal
19 December 2011

SIOUX CITY -- Gerald John Speck, 88, of Sioux City passed away Friday, Dec. 16, 2011, at Westwood Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Sioux City.

Memorial services will be 11:30 a.m. Tuesday at Riverside United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Tanya Sherrill officiating. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m., and a prayer service at 7 p.m., at Berkemier Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home, 5206 Military Road.

Gerald was born Nov. 26, 1926, in Hoeven, S.D., to William and Eva M. (Kaiser) Speck. He moved to Sioux City as a young child. He attended grade school at the Cathedral and graduated with the class of 1941 from Trinity High School in Sioux City. Gerald served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and the Korean conflict.

He married Wanda J. Cornwell on June 14, 1947, at the First Methodist Church in Sioux City. As a highly skilled and dedicated craftsman, Gerald was employed at Holtze, W.A. Klinger, Dohrman Construction and Soren Hanson Construction. He was a member of the local carpenters union.

Gerald was a member of Riverside United Methodist Church, where he was an usher and helped in remodeling projects at the church. He enjoyed bowling, building things, fishing, camping, hiking, sporting and family events, trips to Okoboji, Sunday dinners and time with his children and grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Wanda Speck; four daughters, Tanya and Lyle McKewon of Omaha, Sue Sappingfield of Sioux City, Nancy Guy of Sioux City and Laurie and Jim Dixon of Wichita, Kan.; one son, Terry and Aimee Speck of Sioux City; 14 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by one son, Michael Speck; his parents; two brothers; and three sisters.