Gerald "Gerry" Patrick Wegmann
January 11, 1949 — December 23, 2024
Gerald “Gerry” Wegmann, 75, of Cedar Rapids, passed away on Monday, December 23, 2024, at Oldorf Hospice House, surrounded by his family. A visitation will be held on Monday, December 30th, from 2:00-6:00 PM, beginning with a rosary and prayer service. A Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, December 31st, at 10:00 AM, preceded by a short visitation at 9:00 AM. All will be at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Hiawatha. Interment will follow at Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery in Petersburg, Iowa.
Gerry was born on January 11, 1949, the sixth of Frank and Rosella (Westhoff) Wegmann’s eleven children. Raised on the family farm south of Petersburg, Gerry attended SS. Peter and Paul Elementary School and Dyersville Xavier High School. He was part of the first graduating class from Dyersville Beckman High School in 1967.
Gerry married the love of his life, Jane Ruth White, on June 9, 1973, in Petersburg, Iowa. They had four children who brought them immense joy: Christine, Catherine, Mitchell, and Michele. Gerry enjoyed their family visits and annual Christmas in July trips. He especially loved being a Grandpa, particularly when it involved baseball, basketball, hockey, or soccer. An avid sports fan, Gerry frequently attended local high school games and always cheered on the Hawkeyes, Cubs, and Bears (no matter their records.) Gerry also took great pride and pleasure in working outside; he spent countless hours tending to his garden and extensive flower beds.
After his high school graduation, Gerry helped on the family farm and worked at Witte Feed Mill until December 1968, when he volunteered for the draft. He was assigned to the Army and trained as an infantryman at Ft. Polk, Louisianna, where he received additional leadership training. Gerry arrived in Vietnam on Memorial Day 1969 and joined a small recon unit with a dedicated group of infantrymen. After 13 months in the Army, he was promoted to Sergeant and earned multiple foreign service medals along with the Combat Infantry Badge and Bronze Star with Valor. Gerry was a very proud Veteran. When he returned from Vietnam, Gerry resumed his work at Witte Feed Mill for a year and then attended Iowa Tech in Ottumwa to become an Air Traffic Controller. Unfortunately, he could not pursue this career path due to hearing loss associated with his military service. Gerry then began working at UPS as a part-time holiday worker and soon was hired full-time at the Ottumwa facility. He was recruited into UPS management and had assignments in Cedar Rapids, Burlington, Davenport, and Des Moines. After helping implement an integral technology project through the corporate office, Gerry concluded his distinguished 31-year career at UPS.
When Gerry took early retirement at age 55, he did not slow down. He dedicated his time to family and serving the community. Gerry volunteered at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, Marion American Legion, Eastern Iowa Honor Flight, and Meals on Wheels. He also worked part-time for Junge Automotive and umpired baseball and softball at the youth and high school levels for 10 years.
Gerry is survived by his wife Jane of Cedar Rapids; children Christine (Rob) James of Charleston, SC, Dr. Catherine (Allen) Wilson of Denver, CO, and Dr. Mitchell (Dr. Sloane) Wegmann of Calgary, Alberta, Canada; grandchildren Leighton, Calvin, and Marshall Wegmann, Holden Wilson, Jessica and Adam Mohn, and Jordin James; great-grandchild Ada James Mohn; siblings Carol Wegmann (in-law), Lois Lammers, Joyce (John) Deutmeyer, Joan (Patrick Toohey), Ron (Norma) Wegmann, Rose Ann (Lee) Koelker, LeRoy (Margie) Wegmann, Carl (Sandra) Wegmann; brother-in-law Neil (Susan) White, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Gerry was preceded in death by daughter Michele; parents Frank and Rosella Wegmann; parents-in-law Leighton and Wava White; brothers Jim Wegmann, Dan Wegmann, and Leo Wegmann; in-laws Dick Lammers and Karen Wegmann.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, American Legion-Marion Post 298, Eastern Iowa Honor Flight, or Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy.
Gerry was born on January 11, 1949, the sixth of Frank and Rosella (Westhoff) Wegmann’s eleven children. Raised on the family farm south of Petersburg, Gerry attended SS. Peter and Paul Elementary School and Dyersville Xavier High School. He was part of the first graduating class from Dyersville Beckman High School in 1967.
Gerry married the love of his life, Jane Ruth White, on June 9, 1973, in Petersburg, Iowa. They had four children who brought them immense joy: Christine, Catherine, Mitchell, and Michele. Gerry enjoyed their family visits and annual Christmas in July trips. He especially loved being a Grandpa, particularly when it involved baseball, basketball, hockey, or soccer. An avid sports fan, Gerry frequently attended local high school games and always cheered on the Hawkeyes, Cubs, and Bears (no matter their records.) Gerry also took great pride and pleasure in working outside; he spent countless hours tending to his garden and extensive flower beds.
After his high school graduation, Gerry helped on the family farm and worked at Witte Feed Mill until December 1968, when he volunteered for the draft. He was assigned to the Army and trained as an infantryman at Ft. Polk, Louisianna, where he received additional leadership training. Gerry arrived in Vietnam on Memorial Day 1969 and joined a small recon unit with a dedicated group of infantrymen. After 13 months in the Army, he was promoted to Sergeant and earned multiple foreign service medals along with the Combat Infantry Badge and Bronze Star with Valor. Gerry was a very proud Veteran. When he returned from Vietnam, Gerry resumed his work at Witte Feed Mill for a year and then attended Iowa Tech in Ottumwa to become an Air Traffic Controller. Unfortunately, he could not pursue this career path due to hearing loss associated with his military service. Gerry then began working at UPS as a part-time holiday worker and soon was hired full-time at the Ottumwa facility. He was recruited into UPS management and had assignments in Cedar Rapids, Burlington, Davenport, and Des Moines. After helping implement an integral technology project through the corporate office, Gerry concluded his distinguished 31-year career at UPS.
When Gerry took early retirement at age 55, he did not slow down. He dedicated his time to family and serving the community. Gerry volunteered at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, Marion American Legion, Eastern Iowa Honor Flight, and Meals on Wheels. He also worked part-time for Junge Automotive and umpired baseball and softball at the youth and high school levels for 10 years.
Gerry is survived by his wife Jane of Cedar Rapids; children Christine (Rob) James of Charleston, SC, Dr. Catherine (Allen) Wilson of Denver, CO, and Dr. Mitchell (Dr. Sloane) Wegmann of Calgary, Alberta, Canada; grandchildren Leighton, Calvin, and Marshall Wegmann, Holden Wilson, Jessica and Adam Mohn, and Jordin James; great-grandchild Ada James Mohn; siblings Carol Wegmann (in-law), Lois Lammers, Joyce (John) Deutmeyer, Joan (Patrick Toohey), Ron (Norma) Wegmann, Rose Ann (Lee) Koelker, LeRoy (Margie) Wegmann, Carl (Sandra) Wegmann; brother-in-law Neil (Susan) White, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Gerry was preceded in death by daughter Michele; parents Frank and Rosella Wegmann; parents-in-law Leighton and Wava White; brothers Jim Wegmann, Dan Wegmann, and Leo Wegmann; in-laws Dick Lammers and Karen Wegmann.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, American Legion-Marion Post 298, Eastern Iowa Honor Flight, or Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy.
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