Gerald Wolterman

Gerald “Jerry” John Wolterman, 60, of Jefferson died October 10, 2015 at the Greene County Medical Center in Jefferson surrounded by his family.

Mass of Christian burial was held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, October 15, 2015, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Jefferson with Father Jeff Schleisman officiating with burial in the St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Serving as casket bearers were Patrick Morrone, Brian Eberhardt, Scott Sievers, Scott Shriver, Justin Thompson, and Mark Wolterman.  Honorary casket bearers were Mike Wolterman, Jerry Kelly, Gene Haman, Ben Smith, Jesse Finley, and grandkids (Braden, Sadie, Kalli, Jonathan, & Gracelyn).

Jerry Wolterman, a son of Joe and Lucy (Knobbe) Wolterman, was born March 31, 1955 in Carroll.  Jerry grew up on his family farm near Jefferson and attended and graduated from Jefferson High School in 1973. He attended Des Moines Area Community College, taking training in a Building Trades Program. He worked for RapCo Foam Insulation Company in 1974 and during that time he was so proud to buy his first brand new Chevy pickup. In 1975, Jerry worked for Tri-County Lumber as head of a framing crew.  In 1977, Jerry and his brother Mike started Wolterman Construction and in 1980 built and opened the Jefferson Building Center. They later purchased the closed Fullerton lumberyard in Jefferson and expanded their business which they operated until 2000.  Jerry was proud to have built over 125 new homes during his career, as well as apartments, condos and retirement homes. During this time, Jerry started Wolterman Livestock where he had cows and calves, had a bailing business and built some hog confinements.  He also partnered with Scott Shriver and started J&S Swine. After closing the construction business, Jerry worked on the farm for Scott. In 2005, Jerry started Jerry’s Auto & More and expanded the business in 2011 by adding Jefferson Quik Lube.

On August 30, 1975, Jerry was married to Donna Mace in Jefferson. Three children were born to this union; two daughters who Jerry adored and a son who died in infancy. Jerry and Donna lived in Jefferson and divorced in 1986. On July 12, 2014, Jerry was married to Linda Gross in Jefferson. They lived in Jefferson and together operated the auto business.   Jerry was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Jerry loved his family and friends and was a giver, a very generous and affectionate person. He was very proud of his girls (Karie & Karla) and all their accomplishments and the men they found (Brian & Patrick). He was excited to become a grandfather and so excited to have twin grandbabies; “a boy and a girl!” He won Linda’s heart by his fabulous relationship with his family and his girls. Jerry loved all kids and animals and they always seemed to find their way to him. Jerry also carried on the family tradition of singing “baba loo” to his grandbabies and the tradition of playing “Santa” at the Wolterman’s Christmas. He loved camping at Cutty’s; riding his motorcycles; classic cars; driving his golf cart with the grandkids and family; and cooking a big breakfast on Sundays. Jerry loved to sing and dance and his favorite karaoke song to sing was “Some Gave All.”

Jerry is survived by his wife, Linda, daughters; Karie (Brian) Eberhardt and their children, Braden and Sadie, of Papillion, Nebraska and Karla (Patrick) Morrone of Edwardsville, Kansas, mother, Lucy Wolterman; step-children; Justin (Chelsie) Thompson and their children, Johnathan and Gracelyn of Grand Junction and Katie Thompson and her daughter, Kalli, of Gowrie, a brother Mike (Mary) Wolterman of Jefferson, three sisters; Kay (Tam) Green of Bermuda Dunes, California, Amy (Lloyd) Sessions of Brownsboro, Alabama and Teresa (Steve) Hagen of Jefferson and many relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Joe in 2004, son David, nephew Andrew and mother-in-law Norma Gross.  Also preceding Jerry were grandparents, aunts and uncles and other special relatives and friends.

Funeral arrangements by Brown Funeral Home, Jefferson.