Falck, Gerald Leonard

Gerald Leonard Falck, 81, of Cedar Rapids, formerly of Oelwein and Stanley, died at his home in Cedar Rapids on Tuesday, May 15, 2012. Funeral Service: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 19, at the First Baptist Church in Oelwein, with the Rev. Tim Schoepf officiating. Interment: Floral Hills Cemetery, Highway 150 South, Oelwein. Visitation: 2 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 18, at Geilenfeld Funeral Home in Oelwein. Also one hour before services Saturday at the church.

He was born Aug. 20, 1930, the son of Otto and Ethel (Hesner) Falck, near Lamont. Jerry grew up in the rural Lamont, Aurora area, and graduated from Stanley Consolidated School in 1948. Later he received his Bachelor's Degree from Upper Iowa University.

Jerry was united in marriage to Inabel Griffin on June 24, 1951, at the Stanley Union Church. Five children were blessed to this union. Together they farmed in the Strawberry Point, Arlington and Stanley area. Jerry also taught U.S. Government, History and Math at the Oelwein High School for several years. In 1991, they retired and moved to Oelwein. After nearly 50 years of marriage, Inabel died in 2001. Jerry married Beulah Reed Odekirk on Aug. 21, 2004, in the Union Church rural Aurora, together they resided in Cedar Rapids.

Jerry's passions were his family, farming, square dancing, riding his motorcycle and he enjoyed a good (and sometimes spirited) conversation about politics. Jerry was a lifelong member and past president of the Fayette County Farm Bureau. Jerry's faith in God was deep, personal and lifelong. Jerry was a former member of the Stanley Union Church and most recently the First Baptist Church in Oelwein.

Survivors include his wife, Beulah Falck of Cedar Rapids; three children, Steve Falck of Des Moines, Jodi (Brian) Muller of Manchester, and Richard Falck of Oelwein; one son-in-law, Dan (and his special friend, Bonnie O'Brien) Freeman of Independence; four grandchildren, Jacob Freeman, and Morgan, Zachary and Kaylee Muller; Beulah's children, Kent (Gloria) Odekirk of Mesa, Ariz., Debbie (Keith) Phelps of Cedar Rapids, and Tina Winkie of Cedar Rapids, and their families; three brothers, John (Hermina) Falck of Oelwein, Bob (Sandy) Falck of Grinnell, and Jim (Velma) Falck of Oelwein; one sister, Marcia (Dave) Haier of Algonquin, Ill.; one sister-in-law, Sharon Falck of Oskaloosa; the extended Griffin family; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Jerry was preceded in death by his wife, Inabel; two daughters, Janet Freeman and Barbara Falck; one brother, Bill Falck; and his parents.

Arrangements by Leonard-Muller Funeral Home, Manchester and Geilenfeld Funeral Home, Oelwein.

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Published in The Gazette May 17, 2012.