Gerald "Jerry" John Roetzel

Ashton, IA        Gerald “Jerry” Roetzel age 79 of Ashton, IA died Monday, February 19, 2018 at the Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.        Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, February 22, 2018 at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ashton, with Father Siby Punnoose and Father Richard Ries as concelebrants.        Burial will follow in the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Ashton.        Visitation will be Wednesday, February 21st from 2:00 - 7:00 p.m., with family present from 4:30 - 7:00 p.m. at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Ashton. There will be a rosary service at 4:30 p.m. and vigil service at 5:00 p.m.        Jurrens Funeral Home of Ashton is in charge of arrangements.        Gerald John Roetzel was born on August 26, 1938 in Hospers, IA, the son of Evertt and Caroline (Bindner) Roetzel. He attended and graduated from St. Joseph Catholic School in Ashton. On September 19, 1959, Jerry was united in marriage to Marion Krahling at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Ashton, IA. He enlisted in the National Guard on September 25, 1959 in Sheldon, IA. He served in the 2nd Brigade 133rd Infantry and was honorably discharged on September 24, 1960 with a rank of SP4.  Jerry farmed and owned and operated Roetzel Trucking. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Ashton Community Emergency Services for a time and Iowa Cattleman’s Association. Jerry enjoyed fishing, motorcycles, collecting antique tractors and entering them in parades, and giving tractor rides. Jerry kept in contact with his high school friends and he loved them very much. His grandchildren meant the world to him and he loved spending time with them. Jerry met all his challenges with a positive attitude. Throughout his journey in battling leukemia he embraced any possible treatment with the outlook that his trials may clear the pathway for others to come. Jerry will be greatly missed.        Jerry is survived by his wife of fifty-eight years, Marion Roetzel of Ashton, IA; son, Daniel Roetzel of Ashton, IA; two grandchildren, Dallas Ransom and Tristan Roetzel and great-grandson, Lane Ransom; five siblings: Joan Kallsen of Spencer, IA, Mary Imhoff of Eagen, MN, Pat Mc Coy of Houston, TX, Karen Nafziger of Baltimore, MD and Jan Roetzel of Northfield, MN; and many nieces, nephews and other extended family.        He was preceded in death by his daughter, Nancy Ann Roetzel; son, David William Roetzel; parents, Evertt and Caroline Roetzel; and brother, David Peter Roetzel.   Family requests memorial be directed to the St. Jude’s Society in Jerry’s memory.