Jerry A. Speake

Jerry A. Speake was born March 14, 1937, in a house that still stands at the corner of 14th Street & 3rd Avenue South in Denison. He died peacefully in Denison on Thursday, November 29, 2012, surrounded by his family. He was 75. Jerry was the oldest of five children born to the union of Joseph H. Speake and Helen Hansen Speake. Joe died in 1976 and Helen passed in 1999. Also preceding Jerry in death was an infant brother Joey (Joseph K. Speake), who died in 1940 at the age of 7 months, but who will forever be in our hearts. During Jerry’s early years, his family lived in Carroll and Fort Dodge before settling in Denison following his father’s service in World War II. He grew up in a house along the old Lincoln Highway, attended the local schools, and helped his parents with their growing family. He graduated from Denison High School in 1955 and was proud of the many “good citizenship” marks he received while in school. Jerry’s first paying job was likely at J & O “66” Service, a gas station opened in 1951 by his father Joe and his uncle, Orville Christiansen. For a quarter century, J & O was a landmark business in town and Jerry was a perfect fit to provide the honest, dependable, and courteous service that customers came to expect. J & O closed soon after the passing of Joe Speake in 1976. Jerry also had other endeavors. Just out of high school he managed the bowling alley on South Main and was trained to maintain the lanes new “automated” pinsetters. In the late ‘60s he operated Jerry’s Lounge in a building since replaced by a new bank building. He operated a wholesale candy route but gave that up in favor of being closer to home for his mother’s sake. His final occupation, a stone setter for Carlyle Memorials, was more in his tradition of helping those in need. Jerry’s leisure interests were diverse. He loved to drive and at age 16, with the ink on his license barely dry, he borrowed the family car so he could take his Grandma Schraeder to see her brother…in California! He owned convertibles, motorcycles, even a new Edsel, but his most unusual ride was the black Cadillac hearse he surprised Mom with by backing it up to the front door! Jerry loved sports. He held University of Iowa football season tickets for 33 years. He took in Major League Baseball games across the country. He saw a Rose Bowl. And once, during the All-Star break in Chicago, he chatted with Willie Mays outside their hotel prior to the game. When the Hall-of Famers’ limo arrived, Willie got in and invited Jerry to get in, saying “Room for one more.” Jerry declined. Jerry, too, was an athlete. Bowling trophies still adorn his house. In 1988 he was the Hayes Township Schuetzen Verein King Shooter. But what Jerry mostly excelled at was socializing. All who knew him adored his sharp wit and sense of humor. His love of reading kept him in the know. He never had an ill word about others and rarely swore. Most importantly, he respected people. He will certainly be missed. Surviving Jerry are two sisters, Elaine Elverum, of Ankeny, whose husband Leroy passed away in 1995; and Lonya Mathys and her husband Larry of Denison; also one brother, Steve, and his wife Patti, also of Denison; as well as many nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.   Funeral services were held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, December 3, 2012, at the First United Methodist Church in Denison, Iowa, with the Rev. Alberta Ervin officiating. Music for the service included the congregational hymns of “Old Rugged Cross” and “How Great Thou Art” with Nancy Miles as organist. Honorary Pallbearers included Bud Isaacs, Ed and Marty Weiss and Ed and Sandy Point. Pallbearers were Jerod Speake, Justin Brotherson, Mark Elverum, Todd Elverum, Michael Elverum, Luke Cataldo and Joe Mahr. Interment was at Oakland Cemetery, Denison, Iowa. Following the interment the family invited everyone to return to the church join them for fellowship and a luncheon prepared and served by the United Methodist Women Society. The Pfannebecker Funeral Home, www.pfannebecker.com , Denison, Iowa, was in charge of arrangements.