Gerry Hoemann

OBITUARY PASTOR GERALD L. HOEMANN

On Monday, November 25, 2024, Gerald “Gerry” L. Hoemann went to be with his Lord at the age of 87. Gerry, “Pastor” to many, was born on September 12, 1937, in Canton, Kansas. He was the fifth child and only son of Rev. Albert and Ethel Hoemann. The family moved to Brawley, California, in 1951 where Gerry went to high school. He then completed high school and junior college in Oakland, California. Gerry attained his Bachelor’s degree in social psychology and sociology at Concordia Senior College. He then went to graduate school at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri, earning a Master’s Degree in counseling and theology. His internship was in the inner city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This is where he developed a real love for working with underprivileged and underserved people, especially youth.

Gerry attained the rank of Major in the U.S. Army, which had been one of his goals. He was a Chaplain in the Army Reserve and National Guard until 1986. He was honored with the St. Martin of Tours award for valor. He also had an opening prayer for Congress in Washington, D.C. in 1979.

Gerry’s former California parishes included a mission in Healdsburg, a youth ministry in San Diego, and an inner-city church in Logan Heights. He came to Zion, Blythe, in 1973. In keeping with his desire to help people, he formed Zion Counseling Center to provide low-income pastoral counseling to the community. Gerry also was instrumental in the creation of Zion Lutheran School, a place where families were told about the precious news of the Gospel of a crucified and resurrected Jesus. Additionally, Gerry taught at Palo Verde College and Park University in five subject areas. He said engaging with students kept him young and motivated to reach out to future generations. Another ministry began in 1994 when he was asked to be a mediator for Riverside County Superior Court. He saw all of these activities as opportunities to represent Jesus. Gerry conducted some 1,300 adult baptisms and affirmations, blessed numerous couples in marriage ceremonies, and provided comfort to many others when conducting funerals. His faith in his Lord, full acceptance and love for all people, and desire to make the world a better place shone through in all he did.

Gerry married his soul mate Paula in 1980, and they raised her two boys and his three girls. They were married for forty-four years. Gerry was known for his love for the family, fishing and hunting adventures, and playing tennis in any weather. He was so proud that he was the men’s singles tennis champion in 1993. Gerry truly took to heart the mission of the Gospel in loving and meeting the needs of others and making disciples of people in the Blythe community. Although he retired in 2005 from called ministry, he continued to serve in vacancy positions up until his death, the most current assignment being Trinity Lutheran Church, Brawley, which he loved.

Gerry was preceded in death by his parents and sisters Evelyn, Eunice, and Elinor. He is survived by  his sister Erma (Mike) Mitschke, sons Jesse David (Olivia) Cude, Michael Cude, and daughters Jill Hoemann, Jodi (Austin) Lucious, and Katie (Richard) Dobson, stepson Paul (Debra) Sommerfeld, as well as grandchildren Charles (Espie), Christian, Austin, Alec, Morgan, Drew, Michael (Karime),  Kaylee, and Sierra, and numerous great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life service will be held in the church Gerry served, Zion Lutheran, Blythe, California, on Saturday, January 4, 2025, at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to Zion Lutheran Church to purchase a memorial bench in Gerry's honor.