Jerald Nels Westermark

Jerald Nels Westermark

Washington

Jerald Nels Westermark passed away on May 6, 2024 after a short but courageous battle with cancer. Thanks to his amazing Hospice nurse, he was able to remain at home with his wife and daughter by his side.

The family will be present at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home to celebrate Jerry’s life from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m. Sunday, May 12, 2024. Interment with military honors will take place at the Elm Grove Cemetery at 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 13. Memorials have been established for Disabled Veterans or Hospice of Washington County. Online condolences may be sent for Jerry’s family at www.jonesfh.com.

Jerald was born on March 10, 1949 in Eagle Grove, Iowa. In 1956 he and his sister came to Washington to their parents, Nels Burdette “Bus” and Mildred LeNora (Brown) Westermark. Jerry graduated from Washington High School in 1967. He joined the army in 1969 and served in Vietnam from April 17, 1970 to April 17, 1971. He served his country as Chief Warrant Officer 2 as a helicopter pilot in the Warlords 117th Assault Helicopter Company. He returned home with a bronze star. He was also awarded a purple heart, but declined to accept, stating that other pilots deserved it more than he did. He later joined the Iowa Army National Guard. Jerry worked at the McCleery Cumming Calendar factory after returning home until its closing in 2004, where he worked his way up from pressman to press room supervisor.

Jerry married Susan Kay Minick on May 3, 1975. They welcomed their only child in August 1977. Jerry was an avid golfer and could be found on the golf course every morning after his retirement from when the course opened for the season until it closed for the season. He enjoyed travelling to places where he could enjoy nature. He enjoyed watching Ancient Aliens, the Curse of Oak Island and shows about Bigfoot. He even traveled to Nevada to look for UFO activity. Jerry loved spending time with his grandchildren.

Jerry is survived by his wife Susan; daughter Shalon Kay and son-in-law Douglas Allen Hoyle; grandson Caleb Allen Hoyle and partner Liaden Grace Fillinger and granddaughter Aliza Clair Hoyle, all of Washington. He is also survived by his sisters Karen Myers (Tom), Freda “Fritz” Dunlavy (Ken), Vicky Pamperin (Al) and Betty Wyatt; his brothers Wilbur Brown (Sandy), Terry Hill (Mary), Jeffrey Murray (Evelyn), Bruce Wyatt (Shelly) and Greg Wyatt. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, biological father Charles Ernest Francis Brown and brothers Ernest Brown and Cecil Wyatt.