Gerald Bissen
December 25, 1925 — April 19, 2018
Gerald John Bissen was born to John & Lena (Erlbacher) Bissen on December 25, 1925. His birth took place in their home south of Earling. Gerald, who is known as Jerry was baptized and confirmed at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Earling, and attended school through the 12th grade at St. Joseph's Catholic School. After graduation, Jerry started farming and was united in marriage to Sylvia Arkfeld on February 16, 1949. Jerry lived on the family farm raising corn, beans, cattle and pigs. He also enjoyed having horses on the farm over the years. Jerry and Sylvia built their home in Earling in 1991.
Jerry was very active in his community and St. Joseph Catholic Church where he was a lifelong member. Jerry was involved with the Knights of Columbus since 1945 and served as a Fourth Degree Knight and a Grand Knight. He was mayor of Earling for 8 years. Throughout his life, Jerry was a fanatic St. Louis Cardinal fan and attended several of their games in St. Louis. Jerry and Sylvia enjoyed traveling with friends as well as visiting their children. Jerry took much enjoyment in watching his children, Grandchildren & Great-Grandchildren play sports. He attended many youth, high school and college games over the years. In his early years, Jerry was coach for several baseball seasons with the Earling CYO teams that his sons played on. Other activities that Jerry enjoyed was making wooden toys for the Grandchildren, Knick knack shelves and other woodworking projects. He also enjoyed playing cards and bingo with his many friends. Jerry called bingo in Earling for many years. Most of all, he loved time spent with his family.
Jerry died peacefully surrounded by his loving family in his home in Earling on Thursday, April 19th attaining the age of 92 years, 3 months, and 25 days. In addition to his parents, Jerry was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years Sylvia Bissen, siblings Urban “Bud” Bissen, Carm Flickinger, and Sally Smith. Jerry is survived by his 9 children: Lori and her husband Tom Heit of Evansdale Iowa, Bette and her husband Steve Sheeran of West Palm Beach Florida, Bob and his wife Mary Bissen of Earling, Peg and her husband Mike Shappell of Loxahatchee Florida , Jim Bissen of Mesa Arizona, Dale and his wife Julie Bissen of Woodbury Minnesota, Jerry and his wife Pat Bissen of Harlan, Chris and her husband Dave Blum of Glenwood Iowa and Ron and his wife Melissa Bissen of Westminster Maryland; 24 Grandchildren; 19 Great Grandchildren; brother-in-law George Arkfeld of Oceanside, CA and other family members and many friends. Jerry - our Dad, Grandfather and "Big Pappa" to some of the Great-Grandchildren will be truly missed.
Jerry was very active in his community and St. Joseph Catholic Church where he was a lifelong member. Jerry was involved with the Knights of Columbus since 1945 and served as a Fourth Degree Knight and a Grand Knight. He was mayor of Earling for 8 years. Throughout his life, Jerry was a fanatic St. Louis Cardinal fan and attended several of their games in St. Louis. Jerry and Sylvia enjoyed traveling with friends as well as visiting their children. Jerry took much enjoyment in watching his children, Grandchildren & Great-Grandchildren play sports. He attended many youth, high school and college games over the years. In his early years, Jerry was coach for several baseball seasons with the Earling CYO teams that his sons played on. Other activities that Jerry enjoyed was making wooden toys for the Grandchildren, Knick knack shelves and other woodworking projects. He also enjoyed playing cards and bingo with his many friends. Jerry called bingo in Earling for many years. Most of all, he loved time spent with his family.
Jerry died peacefully surrounded by his loving family in his home in Earling on Thursday, April 19th attaining the age of 92 years, 3 months, and 25 days. In addition to his parents, Jerry was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years Sylvia Bissen, siblings Urban “Bud” Bissen, Carm Flickinger, and Sally Smith. Jerry is survived by his 9 children: Lori and her husband Tom Heit of Evansdale Iowa, Bette and her husband Steve Sheeran of West Palm Beach Florida, Bob and his wife Mary Bissen of Earling, Peg and her husband Mike Shappell of Loxahatchee Florida , Jim Bissen of Mesa Arizona, Dale and his wife Julie Bissen of Woodbury Minnesota, Jerry and his wife Pat Bissen of Harlan, Chris and her husband Dave Blum of Glenwood Iowa and Ron and his wife Melissa Bissen of Westminster Maryland; 24 Grandchildren; 19 Great Grandchildren; brother-in-law George Arkfeld of Oceanside, CA and other family members and many friends. Jerry - our Dad, Grandfather and "Big Pappa" to some of the Great-Grandchildren will be truly missed.
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