Gerald Hankemeier
June 11, 1945 ~ December 18, 2020
Gerald 'Jerry' Owen Hankemeier, 75, of Mechanicsville, Iowa, passed away on December 18, 2020, at UnityPoint St. Luke's Hospital, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Visitation: 3-6 p.m. on Sunday, December 27, 2020, at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Mount Vernon, Iowa. Facemasks and social distancing will be required by everyone in attendance.
A private family service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, December 28, 2020. Friends and extended family are invited to watch the service via livestream. Please find the livestream link on Jerry's tribute wall and share your support and memories with his family at www.stewartbaxter.com under obituaries. Following the service, Jerry will be laid to rest at Rose Hill Cemetery in Mechanicsville.
A celebration of life will be held in the summer of 2021 when it is safe to do so.
Jerry was born in Maquoketa, Iowa, on June 11, 1945, son of the late J. Benjamin and Lillian (Fuglsang) Hankemeier. He was baptized at Salem Lutheran Church in Andrew, Iowa, and Confirmed into the faith at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Anamosa, Iowa. Jerry graduated from Monticello High School in 1964.
He began married life in farming, but quickly realized that trucking was what he truly enjoyed'and he was very good at his job. Most of us believe he could actually turn a rig on a dime. Jerry loved life and could tell a story or joke better than anyone. His career in the trucking industry gave him plenty of material which he used to entertain us for years.
He had a gift of hospitality as well as a gift of service. Countless times, he would drop what he was doing to help someone in need. He loved people, celebrations with family and he enjoyed playing cards. Jerry never missed an opportunity to dance or ride his motorcycle.
Survivors include his daughters, Tanya, Lita, and Regina; son, Jesse and his wife, Andrea; nine grandchildren, Benjamin, Tess, Micheala, Lilly, Malone, Taylor, Cameron, Kaylee, and Jenna; and four great-grandchildren. He is also survived by four brothers, Glen (Nancy), Daniel (Olivia), James (friend Brenda) and Hans (Barbara); two sisters, Karmen (Ken Funk) Farrington and Carla (Ken) Schuette; as well as many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and brother, Loren.
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Jerry attended Central City School with our class but graduated from Monticello High School. We of the Class Of ’64 always considered Jerry as a classmate and he attended several of our reunions …. the latest was July of 2019. It’s times like this when you look back and see how special some things are …. our prayers and condolences
Sympathies to the entire families at this tragic loss, especially to his brother. Carl & Hilda Machula
Our condolences to the family.
Remembering visiting with Jerry at the last Central City class reunion. Arlene (Becicka) Otto
I worked / drove with Jerry, and his brother Jim for a few years at Carlsons. I learned a lot, and have a lot of good memories of those years. They were both, always willing to help us younger guys. Great people. Kris Seitz
My sympathy to the Hankemeier family.
Knew Jerry when his family lived next to ours on the farm in Castle Grove. Many fond memories with the Hankemeier and Cook kids. Always loved Jerry’s stories. They were priceless. Rest In Peace. Your friends, Leo and Janet Cook
We were classmates of Jerry when he went to Central City School. He was a fun-loving guy who usually had a smile and good story or joke to liven a group. Believe us, he added lots of laughter and stories when we gathered for a class reunion a year ago. You could tell Jerry valued family and friends as he talked about them. jerry enjoyed his life and those people with whom he shared experiences at both work and play. We are grateful for having known Jerry. Please accept our condolences and find strength in each other and your precious memories. Alice & Don Smith
My deepest condolences to your family. We are so sorry for your loss. Beth & Rusty Williams
We love you and our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Dad is my hero – he is my John Wayne & I’ll never forget where we were the day John Wayne died 1979 on Dads birthday we were at a pizza place (ain’t there no more) in Olin – he always thought that was something- JW died on his birthday- like they had some kinda connection- and I knew they did- cuz he was always my John Wayne- and like Dad said Hero s don’t die – they just ride away- so to me Dad didn’t die- He just rode away-