Gerald James "Gerry" Farrell

1937 - 2025

Gerald "Gerry" James Farrell

July 10, 1937 - November 2, 2025

Gerald "Gerry" James Farrell, 88, formerly of Delmar, passed away November 2, 2025, at Clover Ridge Place in Maquoketa, fittingly as he prepared to attend Mass at St. Patrick's Church. A man of deep principle, Gerry devoted time, energy, and funds to faith, family, farming, community, and sports.

Gerry was born July 10, 1937, the fourth child of James A. "Tad" and Marie M. (Foster) Farrell of Delmar. Raised on a farm west of town, Gerry spoke fondly of his youth–stories of family fun, milking cows, baling hay, and outings with the whole crew. A favorite tale was playing baseball as a freshman with his brother, Kenny, a senior. Gerry was Salutatorian of the Delmar High School Class of 1954, remaining home until joining the Army in October 1955.

While at Fort Bliss, Gerry's most vivid memory was a training mission in which his group's sergeant urged them to hurry. They quickly loaded ammunition into a 90mm gun, which subsequently imploded, hurling shrapnel everywhere. After this early brush with death, Gerry lived life to the fullest. In 1957, he moved in with Aunt Rosemary and Uncle Jack Burke to a farm east of Delmar, where he would live for 65 years.

Gerry met the love of his life, Mary Karen Budde, in the summer of 1956, proposed to her a year later, and married her on June 14, 1958, in Maquoketa. Gerry and Mary raised seven children and built their lives in Delmar. They were devoted to one another and their community–sometimes pursuing different hobbies but always sharing the same values.

Gerry found joy and success in farming–raising Holsteins, hogs, cattle, corn, and soybeans and earning county-wide recognition for dairy production and conservation farming yields. Was he always rushing from thing to thing? You might say that. A slew of serious farm injuries over the years did not diminish Gerry's love for his profession. One of his mottos was "early to plant and early to harvest." A firm taskmaster, he was forever grateful for the farm help and "willing" dedication of his six sons, his daughter, nephews Tom and Dan Simmons, and various hired hands, most notably Wendell Higgins. Anyone who farmed with Gerry knows of his legendary, not always decipherable, hand signals in the field.

Gerry was forever sociable, making others feel welcome, never meeting a stranger, and bursting with pride for his grandchildren. He had a firm sense of right and wrong and a photographic memory of long-ago events, sports scores, and family lore. He was an avid reader and dedicated amateur poet. Gerry helped everyone he thought might benefit from his wisdom, energy, sound advice, or perhaps all three.

Gerry lived out his Catholic faith in scripture, prayer, and service. "Going to Mass is a privilege," he wrote to family in 2024. He never missed a grandchild's sacramental celebration. His most compelling commitment was to St. Patrick's Parish. Whether cemetery caretaker, treasurer, church maintenance man, groundskeeper, sacristan, lector, historian, catechist, parish council member, or unofficial deacon, Gerry's conviction was to preserve what church founders built in Delmar.

As hard as he worked and prayed, Gerry equally encouraged his kids and grandkids to "play"–whether competitive sports, music, drama, Euchre, Up and Down the River, or the annual Turkey Bowl. He coached at home, in youth leagues, and from the sidelines. He was his grandchildren's biggest fan, watching games, meets, recitals, and concerts in person, or remotely when his health declined. Gerry's television was nightly tuned to sports. For years, he took 40+ family members annually to a St. Louis Cardinals game and he watched Game 7 of the 2025 World Series with son Jim the night before he passed. He was a mainstay on the golf course and played the John Deere Classic Pro-Am in 2008.

What Gerry had left after all this-he gave to the community. He served 18 years on the Delwood school board, read with first graders for 10 years, was a Maquoketa YMCA funder and founder, a volunteer Maquoketa Country Club and Camp Courageous tree trimmer, and a snowplow driver and jack of all trades for local widows. He was an active member of the Delmar Lions for 40 years, treasurer for half that time. He spearheaded or led the Lions' blood drive, Memorial Day programs, Christmas soup suppers, golf outings, eye exams at area preschools, and eye tissue transports from Iowa City to Madison. He earned numerous awards for his service. In summary, Gerry made a difference.

Gerry is survived by his children and in-laws, Joe (Debbie) of Clinton, Jim (Nancy) of DeWitt, Paul (Carolyn) of Ankeny, Phil (Kris) of St. Charles, IL, Anne (Chris) Peterson of Delmar, Tony (Teresa) of Ankeny, and John (Megan) Kennedy-Farrell of Evanston, IL. He is also survived by grandchildren, Melissa (Oswan), Elizabeth (Grant), Sara (Nick), Tracy, Will (Allie), Darcie, Megan (Ryan), Madison (Matt), Ryan, Kailey, Dylan, Hunter, Jack, Ava, Kate, Katie (Mike), Erin (Jacob), Meredith, Tommy, Emily, Connor, Aidan, Maura, and Lucas, and by 20 great-grandchildren. He is survived by sisters, Judy Farrell of Marion and Mary (Edmond) Noel of Wheatland; and sisters-in-law, Joyce McAndrew of Andrew and LuAnn Farrell of Clinton.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Mary; brothers, Kenny, Donny, Pat, Mike, and infant Aloysius; five sisters-in-law; and two brothers-in-law.

A funeral mass celebrating his life will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, November 10, 2025, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Delmar, IA. Visitation will be held from 1 to 4 p.m., Sunday, November 9, 2025, at Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa, Iowa. Burial will be at St. Pat's Cemetery, Delmar.

Memorials suggested to St. Patrick's Building Fund, Jackson County Hospice, or a charity of your choice.