Gerald Vincent “Jerry” Pitz, son of Leo and Cora Greene Pitz, was born April 2, 1941, at New Hampton, Iowa. He attended country school in the Ionia area, and received his G.E.D. while serving with the U.S. Army from August of 1958 to June of 1961.
On November 18, 1961, he was united in marriage with Joyce Jordan at Fredericksburg. Jerry was an employee of John Deere & Co. from 1965, until retiring in 1994. He had also worked at Libby’s in Minnesota, Meinerts Creamery in Fredericksburg, Warner Oil Co. of rural Waverly, and also the railroad.
Following a lengthy illness, his death occurred Tuesday, February 14, 2012, at the Cedar Valley Hospice Home in Waterloo. He was seventy years old and was a member of the United Methodist Church in Frederika. He was always interested in horses, as he raced thoroughbreds, enjoyed woodworking, NASCAR, and, most especially, enjoyed spending time with his family.
In addition to his wife, Joyce of Frederika, he is survived by one son, Rich Pitz (Alison Oberbroeckling) of Frederika; one daughter, Chris Pitz (Jim Haynes) of Frederika; five grandchildren, Sarah Hamed, Stephanie Schiel, Justin Limkemann, and Dayton and Cody Pitz; seven great grandchildren, Hady Hamed, Ethan Alvarez, Kieran Boldt, Kodyn and Jadyn Schiel, and Taitym and Teghyn Limkemann; and two sisters, Connie (Jim) Blietz of Council Bluffs and Shirley (Bill Brown) Pitz of New Hampton.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and two brothers, LaVerne and Ronald.
Funeral Services will be held 10:30 a.m., Friday, February 17, 2012, at the United Methodist Church in Frederika with Pastor Sheryl Hull officiating. Friends may call from 4:00 p.m., until 7:00 p.m., Thursday, February 16, 2012, at Rettig Funeral Home in Tripoli and for one hour preceding services at the church on Friday. Interment will be at Alcock Cemetery, Frederika, Iowa with military rites provided by Brandenburg-Krueger Post # 4013, V.F.W. of Tripoli, Iowa. Memorials may be made in his name to the American Cancer Society or American Lung Association.
