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Jerry Ziese
JERRY ZIESE
Cedar Rapids
Jerry Ziese, 74, of Cedar Rapids, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2018.
He was born Jan. 23, 1944, in San Antonio, Texas, the son of Otto and Mary Ethel Cooper Ziese.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Linda Ziese Rabke; and his loving wife of 39 years, Nancylee Hanson Ziese, who died on Feb. 24, 2017.
Jerry graduated from high school in Yorktown, Texas, at the age of 16 before attending the University of Texas. After graduation, he served four years in the U.S. Air Force, returning to earn his advanced degree from the University of Nebraska. He then moved to Iowa to manage a Younkers department store.
In 1977, Jerry Ziese and Nancylee Hanson were married in Sioux City, Iowa. In 1982, their family joyfully expanded with the adoption of their daughter, Gale Graham Ziese, whom they lovingly called "GG."
In 1992, Jerry began working for Merchants National Bank in Cedar Rapids until it was bought out by US Bank in 2001. He left to work for Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust, where he went on to serve as vice president of private banking and business development. Following his banking career, he served as executive director of the Uptown District.
Jerry was a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International and a member of the Cedar Rapids Veterans Memorial Commission (former chairman), SCORE (former chairman), the Linn County Agricultural Extension Council and Christ Episcopal Church.
Jerry and his late wife, Nancylee, were loyal donors to many nonprofits in the greater Cedar Rapids area.
Survivors include his daughter, Gale Graham Ziese, and grandson, Deegan of Cedar Rapids; and his brother, John Ziese of Texas.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, at Christ Episcopal Church, 220 40th St. NE, Cedar Rapids, followed by a luncheon at the church. The family will greet friends prior to the service at 10:30 a.m. in the church parlor.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Eastern Iowa Honor Flight, P.O. Box 10704, Cedar Rapids, IA 52410, or a charity of the donor's choice.
Please leave a message or tribute on the website www.cedarmemorial.com under Obituaries.
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