Jerome Edward "Jerry" Mensch

Jerry Mensch died August 26, 2010 surrounded by his family after a brief battle with liver cancer. He was born in Mason City, Iowa to Maureen O'Brien Mensch and Jack Mensch and grew up in Plymouth, Iowa. In 1972 he married Ann Noland and worked as a silversmith and goldsmith in Mason City, Iowa. He moved to Sebastopol, CA in 1996 where he managed the goat herd and breeding program for Redwood Hills Goat Dairy Farm. After several years he began work as a jeweler for Rose's River Jewelers in Guerneville, CA. He later became an independent jeweler living in Cazadero, CA. While in California Jerry raised Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and counted many friends among the people who bought his dogs. He continued to be involved in the world of goat judging and became a senior judge with the National Goat Association. Jerry moved back to his family in Clearlake, Iowa in April 2006 where he opened an antique and jewelry shop called "Worn Edges". He continued to design and repair jewelry and raise Cavaliers. He is survived by his son Joel Mensch of Walker, MN; sisters Kathy (Gene) Watson of Manly, IA, Anne (Dennis) Muehlstedt of Clearlake, IA, Jean Welsford of Muskego, WI; and lifelong friend Ann Noland of Walker, MN. He leaves many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and many friends both in Iowa and California who will miss him.