Gerald Pacha

GERALD PACHA

Brighton, IA

Gerald Anthony Pacha, 80, of rural Brighton, passed away on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 at home surrounded by family. Gerald was born January 28, 1939, on the home farm south of Brighton to Albert P. Pacha and Teresa A. Fritz Pacha. He grew up in the Brighton/Pleasant Plain area and graduated from Pleasant Plain High School in 1956. In 1961 Gerald was drafted into the United States Army, in Fairfield, IA. He served his country stationed in Germany and was honorably discharged in 1967. Gerald loved farming and farmed all of his life on the family's Century Farm. Gerald and his brother Maurice Pacha sold Pfiester Seed for 50 years. Gerald married Rosemary Mineart on July 30, 1966, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in East Pleasant Plain. Gerald was a family man who never met a stranger and would do anything for his family, his community and his country. He was also very proud of his Czech heritage and enjoyed his mother's and his wife's cherry kolaches when he could convince them to make them. Throughout his life, Gerald was very active and held memberships in many organizations including: Iowa Soybean Association, the Iowa Corn Growers Association, Washington County Farm Bureau, Chapter 5-International Tractor Club of Iowa, Wayland Tractor Club, Brighton Lions Club, Friends of Lake Darling, Brighton Chamber of Commerce, Washington Knights of Columbus-4th Degree and St. Joseph and Cabrini Catholic Church. Gerald loved to have fun. When you were around Gerald he was always the one telling and playing jokes. He loved playing cards, dancing and participating in tractor rides. His laugh and full faced grin will be forever missed.

Gerald is survived by his wife, Rosemary of Brighton, son, Jeff Pacha (Michelle) of Wichita, KS and daughter Jennifer Phillips (Brian) of Johnston, Iowa, 6 grandchildren: John, Kyle, Brady, Ryan, Aurora and Ames; 4 sisters: Mary Catherine Adam of Fairfield, Joanna Peterson of Newton, Edna Sieren (Don) of Keota, and twin sister Geraldine Scheller (Melvin) of Emporia, KS and 3 brothers: Don Pacha of Fairfield, Maurice Pacha (Katherine) of Washington and Merle Pacha (Mary Ann) of Washington. He is preceded in death by his parents and 3 brothers: Walter Pacha of Brighton, Robert Pacha of Davenport and Jerome Pacha at birth.

Prayers for a Christian Wake and rosary will be held at 5:30pm on Monday, April 22, 2019 and visitation will follow until 8pm at St. Joseph Catholic Church in East Pleasant Plain. A Funeral Mass will be held Tuesday, April 23, 2019 at 10:30am at St. Joseph Catholic Church in East Pleasant Plain with Rev. Damien Ilokaba and Rev. Charles J. Fladung officiating. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery. Memorials in Gerald's name will be determined by family at a later day and may be left at the church or mailed to the family at 1022 Spruce Avenue, Brighton, Iowa 52540. Gould Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.