Gerald A. "Gerry" Studer

Mason City - Gerry Studer, 86, of Mason City, passed away Saturday, July 14, 2012, at home, after a full summer day enjoying his garden.
A memorial Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 20, at Holy Family Church, 714 N. Adams, Mason City,, with the Rev. John A. Gossman and the Rev. Kenneth B. Gehling as con-celebrants.
Inurnment will follow in the Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery, Mason City, with military honors provided by members of the Mason City Veterans Association.
Visitation will held on Thursday, July 19, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 Third St. N.E., Mason City. A Knights of Columbus rosary will be recited at 6:30 p.m., followed by a scriptural wake service and family tribute.
Gerry requested that any memorials be made to Holy Family Church or they may be given in care of the family.
Gerald Alphonse Studer was born on July 24, 1925, on a farm in Wesley, Iowa, to Alphonse and Isabelle (Haverly) Studer. He grew up in the Great Depression with a strong work ethic and a love of the farm and the outdoors. He carried this legacy with him for the rest of his life.
Gerry attended school in Wesley and graduated from Wesley High School. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1943-46 and was proud to attend Miami University and Columbia University for officer training. As a lieutenant he became a "plank owner" (the original crew) aboard the destroyer USS James C. Owens.
After the Navy, he graduated from Hamilton Business College and worked in several positions as an office and business manager in Mason City. Later he was a sales manager and president of Klipto Printing Co. His career culminated with the development and sale of his own company, The Office Center.
In 1955, he married Marlene "Kitty" Krieger. Together they raised six children and have nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
His wife, Marlene, and children survive him: Sandy Hanson (special friend Jim Ripperger), Gina Lovejoy (John Kalousek), Mike Studer (Val), Lisa Yunek (Joel), Laura Brock (Roger), and Tom Studer. Grandchildren are Josh Hanson, Nicole Hanson, Ben Lovejoy, Sam Lovejoy, Michael Studer, Scott Raridon Jr. (Jena), Alecia Balduf, Elizabeth Brock and Katherine Brock. Great-grandchildren are Eli, Thia and Ari Raridon. His sister, Mae Haiden, resides in Mason City at Good Shepherd. He is survived by many nieces and nephews.
Throughout the years, Gerry was involved in many church and civic groups including St. Joseph Catholic Church, Holy Family Church, Knights of Columbus, VFW and Jaycees.
He enjoyed dancing, softball, bowling, fishing, golfing, gardening and bridge. He urged his children to volunteer and taught them to repair things much as he did on the farm. He was grateful for his trip with the North Iowa Honor Flight for WWII veterans last April and for activities at North Iowa Golf Center.
Preceding Gerry in death were his parents, Alphonse and Isabelle Studer; sisters Phyllis Kelch, Rita Young, Elaine Downs, Julie Jarvis and Rose Gerdis; in-laws, Carl and Helen Krieger; sister-in-law June Krieger Downey; brothers-in law George Kelch, Ed Downs, Fred Jarvis, Leo Young, Earnest Gerdis and Dick Haiden.
Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel. 641-423-2372. www.colonialchapels.com.