Gerald "Jerry" Breyfogle

Gerald (Jerry) W. Breyfogle, 84, passed away Thursday, June 24 at a local hospital with his
family at his side. Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, July 2nd at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic
Church followed by interment in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation with the family present will be
Thursday, July 1st from 4:00 to 7:00pm including a prayer service at 7:00pm at Meyer Brothers
Morningside Chapel. Online condolences can be made at www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Jerry was born on November 9th, 1936 in Holstein, Iowa, the 6th of 13 children, to Harold and
Ethel (Tolzin) Breyfogle. He graduated in 1955 from Holstein High School. Shortly after
graduating he joined the Air Force, where he served the majority of his time in England. After
his honorable discharge from the Air Force he joined the 185th Iowa Air National Guard and
proudly served his country for over 35 years. In the spring of 1968 the Guard was called to active
duty, and Jerry spent a full year to the day in Vietnam. During his tour in Vietnam he joined his
wife and son, Patrick, in Hawaii for a few days of blissful R & R. He retired from the military
with the rank of Master Sergeant. He was a member of the American Legion Post #0697.
Jerry married JoAnn Murphy at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Graettinger, Iowa on
April 27, 1963 by Father Vincent Beacom. To this union three sons were born. The family made
their home in Sioux City, Iowa. They are long time members of St. Joseph Catholic Church
where all three sons were married.

After retiring from the Guard Jerry & JoAnn enjoyed traveling. Together they took an Alaskan
cruise, toured Ireland, England, Wales and went on many other trips. They shared their love of
travel with their children and grandchildren by celebrating each grandchild’s high school
graduation with a family vacation. These vacations included three Carribean cruises and most
recently a trip to Cancun, Mexico three weeks ago. All of these vacations have created lasting
memories for the family.

Jerry’s interests included gardening, metal detecting, attending auctions, and working on various
projects in his garage. Jerry was an extremely talented mechanic who could fix anything that
needed to be repaired. Special times were when he and his three sons went on fishing trips to
South Dakota. During one of those trips Jerry caught his “monster” Northern Pike. His sons
surprised him by having the fish mounted and it is prominently displayed in the house for all to
enjoy. Most of all Jerry enjoyed time with his family, attending sports and activities of his sons,
and later of his grandchildren.

Left to cherish Jerry’s memory is his wife, JoAnn of 58 years; three sons, Patrick (Tanya)
Breyfogle their two daughters, Rebekah & Brooke, Joel (Shelly) Breyfogle their three daughters,
Kim (Ryan) Driskell, Jessica & Nicole, Greg (Lori) Breyfogle and their children, Hannah, Ethan
& Jacob. Jerry is also survived by eight siblings; Audrey Schubert, Doris Petersen, Bonnie
(Denton) Wirkus, Carol Kolberg, James (Karen) Breyfogle, Dean (Cleo) Breyfogle, Don (Jane)
Breyfogle, Dennis (Kathy) Breyfogle and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Jerry is preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Jack Breyfogle and Dale Breyfogle; two
sisters, Verla Thompson and Margaret Freed.