Gerald Leo "Jerry" Girres

Gerald "Jerry" Girres, age 86 of Bode, passed away on Friday, July 25, 2025 at the Good Samaritan Society in Algona, Iowa. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM on Saturday, August 2, at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in St. Joe. Burial will take place at the St. Joseph Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM on Friday, August 1, at the St. Joseph Catholic Church with a Prayer Service beginning at 3:30 PM. Services have been entrusted to Lentz Funeral Home of Algona.
Gerald Leo Girres, son of C.L and Bernadine (Yoch) Girres, was born on November 5, 1938 on the family farm in Mallard, Iowa. He graduated from West Bend High School in 1956. Following school, Jerry joined the Navy and served on the U.S.S Ranger until 1961. On August 5, 1961, he was united in marriage with Joan Reding.
Jerry was a farmer at heart and a member of the Pork Producers, Livermore CO-OP Board and the Ag Committee. He had been an active member of the St. Joseph Parish and was a Fourth Degree Member of the Knights of Columbus. Jerry was very supportive of his children and never missed one of their activities. He spent many years attending dance and baton performances. He actually enjoyed them and missed them when then they were over. Jerry then was very supportive of his grandchildren putting many miles on his car and late nights attending soccer games, cross country meets, birthday parties and Grandparents Day at school. His grandchildren have very fond memories of hearing him on the sidelines cheering them on.
Jerry was a true football fan. He loved watching all football games but his all-time favorite team was Notre Dame. Attending Notre Dame football games was one of the highlights of his life!
Jerry's wife and children remember the countless times when they went somewhere wondering "what's taking him so long?" He always had time to talk to anyone and as they would say, "he could talk to a fence post". He was loving, caring and always had time for you.
Left to cherish Jerry's memory is his wife of 63 years, Joan of Bode; children, Mike Girres of Bode, Shelly (Ken) Nieland of Ankeny, Mary (Jeff) Lile of Ankeny, and Chris Girres of Clemson, SC; five grandchildren, Megan, Amber, Savannah, Alex and Jax; three great grandchildren, Mae, Mylah, and Brooks; and siblings, Ron (Judy) Girres, Carol Eoriatti, Ray (Kathy) Girres, Rich (Linda) Girres, and Monsignor Ed Girres. He was preceded in death by his parents, C.L. and Bernadine Girres; son, Steve; nephew, Tony; and brother-in-law, Joe Eoriatti.