Gerald “Jerry” E. Kunz, 91, of Mason City, IA, formerly of Manly, IA, passed away to his heavenly home October 28, 2024 at Good Shepherd Health Center in Mason City.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place 10:30 am Monday, November 4, 2024 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 410 N Broadway St, Manly, IA 50456, with Father Ben Valentine officiating. Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm Sunday, November 3, 2024 at Bride Colonial Chapel, 110 E Spring St, Manly, IA 50456 with a scriptural wake service to begin at 6:45 pm . His body will be laid to rest in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery.

Jerry has requested that any memorial contributions be made to St. Croix Hospice.

Jerry was born September 5, 1933 in Mason City to Edmund and Iola (Stiener) Kunz. After graduating in 1951 from Holy Family High School in Mason City; he attended Officer’s Candidate School and went on to serve his country in the U.S Army from 1953 to 1956. He earned the rank of First Lieutenant and DAV Veteran when he was honorably discharged. Following his time in the service, Jerry returned to Mason City and attended Mason City Junior College. He then attended St. Thomas University in Minnesota and finished his college education at UNI (Cedar Falls, IA) in 1960 where he earned his BA in Education. Jerry was a coach and teacher at St. Mary’s and Lenihan High School in Marshalltown, IA from 1960 to 1970. He then moved to Manly and was a coach and teacher as well as the athletic director at North Central High School until he retired in 1990.

On August 23, 1958, Jerry married Sally Goodman at Holy Family Catholic Church. He and Sally lived in Waterloo and Marshalltown for several years before they moved to Manly. Together they had five children: Steve, Sue, Scott, Sandy, and Stacy.

He enjoyed working on the Faught and Trenhaile farms in the spring and fall for 30+ years; he also enjoyed living in Mesa, AZ for nearly 15 winters. He especially enjoyed playing cards and spent 40 years golfing at Pioneer Town and Country Club in Manly. Above all, Jerry loved his family and cherished the time spent with them. He was so very proud of each of his children and their accomplishments.

Those left to honor his memory are his children; Steve (Laurie Mills) Kunz, of Mason City; Sue (Brett) Knudson of Florence AZ, Scott (Natalie) Kunz, of Danbury, WI, Sandy (Nick) Karan of Danbury, WI, and Stacy (Jason) Dams of Walford, IA; grandchildren, Amanda Kunz, Derek (Audrey) Kunz, Muriel Knudson, Kenny (Lexi) Kunz, Kris (Danielle) Kunz, Alex (Maddie) Karan, Will Karan, Sydney Dams and Payton Dams; step-grandchildren, Matthew Knudson, Brittany Knudson, Josh Mills, Jake Mills, and Kayla Calaway; great-grandchildren, Tamara, Tiana, Kamden, Ella, QuinnLeigh, Scottlyn, Joie, and Wyatt; brother-in-law, Bill Hanninen; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death are his wife, Sally; parents, Edmund and Iola; in-laws, Vince and Rita Goodman; brothers, Jack (Margaret) Kunz and Robert (Lorraine) Kunz; sister, Joanne Daily; sister-in-law, Susan Hanninen; and brother-in-law, Joseph (Gladys) Goodman.