Gerald “Jerry” Munns, age 91 of Rock Rapids, IA died Thursday, September 20, 2012 at Sanford Hospital of Rock Rapids.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, September 24, 2012 at the Holy Name Catholic Church in Rock Rapids, with Father Jeff Schleisman officiating. Burial will follow in the Holy Name Catholic Cemetery in Rock Rapids.
Visitation will be Sunday, September 23rd from 2-8 p.m. with the family present from 6-8 p.m. at the Jurrens Funeral Home of Rock Rapids. There will be a vigil service at 7:00 p.m. Sunday evening.
Gerald Francis Munns was born February 4, 1921 at the family farm southeast of Rock Rapids, Iowa, the son of Thomas Jay and Irene Leola (Crelly) Munns. He was raised on family farm and attended country school through 8th grade. He then attended Wilson High School in Rock Rapids, where he graduated in 1938. After his education he remained with his parents and helped his father with the farm work. On August 18, 1942 Jerry entered the United States Navy where he served in the Southeast Pacific Theatre. He was honorably discharge on January 6, 1946 and returned home to his family and continued farming. On May 24, 1948 Jerry was united in marriage to Isabelle Kellihan at Holy Name Catholic Church in Rock Rapids, IA. They moved to the family farm where they raised four children.
Jerry was a member of Holy Name Catholic Church where he served on the church board for several years, active in the Holy Name Men’s Club and was sexton of the church cemetery. He was a founding member of the Lyon County Pork Producers, member of Lyon County Fair Board, Farmers Coop Exchange Board, R.E.C. Board, Lyon & Sioux Rural Water Board and Lyon County Soil Conservation Board. He also enjoyed playing baseball and softball for many years. He also was an avid bowler and organized the Rock Rapids Bowling Tournament. When his children were young he coached little league baseball and was a 4 – H Leader. In 1965 he was presented the “Master Hog Farmer of Iowa” award. In 1994 he was inducted into the Iowa State Fair Hall of Fame. Jerry and Isabelle enjoyed playing Pinochle with friends.
In the 1980’s Jerry slowed down with farming turning the Century Farm over to his son Mike. This past Monday, September 17th Jerry was admitted to Sanford Hospital in Rock Rapids where he remained until his death.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Isabelle Munns of Rock Rapids, IA; three children, Mike Munns of Rock Rapids, IA, Peggy (Steve) Groves of Larchwood, IA and Eileen (Tim) Peters of Madison, SD; seven grandchildren, Shawn Munns of Denver, CO, Erin (Monte) Johanning of Sioux Falls, SD, Mike (Beth) Payne of Inwood, IA, Tara (Phil) Mueller of Sioux Falls, SD, Caitlin Payne of Ames, IA, Kara Peters of Brookings, SD and Hailey Peters of Madison, SD; eight great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Betty Kellihan of Springfield, MO and Estelle Sunderland of Manhattan, MT; and several nieces, nephews and other extended family.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, “Jay” and Irene Munns; a son, Patrick Munns; a brother, Loren Munns; a sister, Coleen Clasen; and son-in-law, Mark Payne.
