GERALD “Jerry” MATZDORFF

Funeral services for Gerald “Jerry” Dale Matzdorff, 84, of Aurelia, will be 10:30 A.M. Saturday, June 21, 2014 at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Aurelia, with Pastor Larry Lemke officiating. Burial will be in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery, rural Aurelia. Visitation will be Friday from 5:00 until 8:00, with the family present, at the St. Paul Lutheran Church. The Redig Funeral Home in Aurelia is in charge of arrangements.   Military honors will be by the Grashoff-McManus American Legion Post of Aurelia.

Gerald Dale Matzdorff was born July 31, 1929 in Cherokee, IA, the eldest of seven sons born to Emil H. and Goldie I. (Whiting) Matzdorff. He attended Brooke School, graduating in 1948. Jerry served in the US Air Force from December 28, 1950 until his honorable discharge November 26, 1954. On June 26, 1956 Jerry married Jeanette Jean Swanger at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Aurelia. He was a mechanic for Harry Howell in Aurelia, then for Dunn Chevrolet in Cherokee. He then became the service manager for the Buick dealership in Cherokee, then for Peterson Motors in Storm Lake, and later for Fitzpatrick’s in Storm Lake where he continued to help around the dealership after his retirement. He was a member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church, the Grashoff-McManus American Legion Post #390 of Aurelia, and was a member of the Aurelia Fire Department from March 14, 1969 until March 12, 1984. He enjoyed golfing, cars, motorcycles, and card clubs.

Jerry died Wednesday June 18, 2014 at the Buena Vista Regional Medical Center in Storm Lake.

Preceding Jerry in death were his parents, and three brothers; Duane, Ronald, and Darrel Matzdorff.

Survivors include his wife Jeanette of Aurelia, three sons; Ken and his wife Alane Matzdorff of California, Den and his wife Jenny Matzdorff of Texas, Dan and his wife Gabby Matzdorff of Minnesota, and two grandchildren; Timothy and Molly Matzdorff. Also surviving are his mother-in-law Velma Swanger of California, three brothers; Lyle and his wife Stallene Matzdorff of Arizona, Donny Matzdorff of Arizona, and Verle and his wife Vicky Matzdorff of LeMars, three sisters-in-law; Sharon and husband Don Moore of Cherokee, Donna Hallgrimson and Ardy and husband Bill Benson all of California, and many nieces and nephews, and other relatives and friends.