John Earl Gerard

John Earl Gerard, age 76, of Libertyville, was taken home to his Lord on Tuesday, May 1, 2018, at his home.

Memorial service will be 10:30 am, Friday, May 4, 2018 at Immanuel Lutheran Church with Pastor Mark Brase officiating.  Visitation for family & friends will be prior to the service from 9:00 am – 10:30 am. Burial of cremains will be at a later date in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas.

Memorials can be made in John’s name to Immanuel Lutheran Mother’s Day Out Preschool Scholarships.  Cards and memorials can be mailed to 604 W Maple, Libertyville, Iowa 52567.

John was born August 15, 1941, in Williamsburg, IA to Vernon and Stella (Thomas) Gerard.  He married Evelyn Sandersfeld on July 31, 1961, who was called home to the Lord on August 3, 2007.  January 15, 2011, he married Kathy Riney at Immanuel Lutheran Church.

John graduated from Williamsburg High School Class of 1959.  He joined the US Navy and served from 1959-1962 in the Vietnam War on the USS Bennington.  He worked in sales and marketing for 45 years prior to retiring.  John was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church.  He was a devoted husband and father who used the Holy Scriptures as his guide for both.  John found great satisfaction in committing his service to the church and he believed strongly in the importance of Lutheran Education.  He loved being outside enjoying God’s creation by gardening, camping, taking care of his horses & chickens and tinkering on projects that needed to be done.

Left to share John’s memories are his wife Kathy; 4 children, Dana (Dana) Gerard, Quintin (Sue) Gerard, Lance (Jill) Gerard and Tahnika (Tony) Mates; 5 step children, Erin (Jeremy) Stephens, Emily (Ryan) Ketelsen, Elise (Jeremiah) Ray, Evan Riney and Erica (Jed) Denson; 13 grandchildren, Jackie, Caleb, Luke, Cole, Shawn, Jenna, Jaimie, Garrett, Marion, Samuel, Hilary, Emma and Evan; 6 step grandchildren, Lexi, Sophie, McKenna, Izabella, Greenlee and Serenity; 7 great grandchildren; 6 siblings, Vernon (Sandy) Gerard, Tom (Cindy) Gerard, Larry (Marilyn) Gerard, Jeanie (Gene) Collingwood, Bob Gerard and Susan (Mike) Gabriel; and many nieces & nephews.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Evelyn Gerard; his parents, Vernon Gerard and Stella Wardenburg; and one sister, Judy Johnson.