Jerry Pashan

Jerry Pashan, 91, of Hiawatha, Iowa, died Monday, April 14, 2025. A private family Funeral Mass will take place at Saint Jude Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids Iowa. Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Cedar Rapids is assisting the family.

Jerry was born on September 16, 1933, in Morris, Minnesota, the son of Earl and Vivian (Foster) Pashan. He graduated from Morris High School and then proudly served his country in the United States Navy from 1951 to 1955. Returning to civilian life he attended the Brown Institute in Minneapolis studying Radio communications. On the weekends, he played the drums in local Big Bands in the Twin cities. Over the years he stopped playing in bands but he continued playing at home, the music frequently pouring out the windows and over the neighborhood from his setup in the basement.

In Minneapolis he met his love, Jolene Adams, and in 1957 they were united in marriage at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. Working for Collins Radio, Jerry’s job took the couple all over the west coast returning to Iowa in 1965 as their children were entering school age. He finished his working career at Iowa Public Broadcasting.

Jerry was a lifelong learner and loved discussing a broad range of topics. Jerry also earned a degree in Sociology from Kirkwood Community College. He communicated with people across the world as a HAM radio operator, call sign NG0U, including one time with the former King of Jordan, another avid Ham radio operator.

We would be remiss if we didn’t mention Jerry’s love of fishing. Lake, river or stream he would spend many days each year casting his line into the water and enjoying the nature around him.

Survivors include his wife, Jolene Pashan of Cedar Rapids; children, Mark Pashan of Palm Coast, Florida, Carla (Carl) Bilter of Cedar Rapids, and Craig (Shelly) Pashan of Waukee, Iowa; grandchildren, Kyle Pashan of Kansas City, Missouri, Eric Pashan of Chicago, Illinois, Raymond (Katie Beye) Bilter of Washington D.C., Hannah Pashan of Hiawatha, and Abby Pashan of Des Moines, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Vivian Pashan; brother, Robert (Geraldine “Gerry”) Pashan; and sister, Shirley (Donald) Pashan Grossman.

In lieu of flowers, please send a donation in Jerry’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association.