JERRY WIDMANN

He was born in Webster City, , on January 14, 1945, to Waldo and Evelyn (Frakes) Widmann. He was the fourth of six children. Jerry attended school in Webster City, and in November of 1963, four days after President Kennedy’s assassination, he entered the United States Navy. He served with the Atlantic Fleet until his Honorable Discharge in 1968, with deployments to Spain, Italy, and Malta. After his military service, Jerry attended Des Moines Area Community College, where he completed training in refrigeration, air conditioning, and heating. He worked for private HVAC contractors in , prior to embarking on his nearly 30–year career with the federal government. After his retirement from federal service, Jerry started his own air conditioning business in Flasher.

Jerry had a zest for life and “making memories.” He was an avid fisherman, consummate mushroom hunter, willing “wanderer,” and, later in life, an RV–ing snowbird who discovered kayaking. He knew his pulmonary issues would shorten his life, and never missed an opportunity for an adventure. He was so greatly loved and he will be profoundly missed.

He is survived by his wife, Bobbi Sherwood–Widmann; his daughter, Angela Bos, and her husband Jeff, of Ankeny, ; his son Matthew and his wife Bridget, of Littleton, Colorado, and their two children, Ian and Ella; and his stepdaughter, Layne Wick of Quinlan, Texas.

Jerry specifically requested no flowers, he preferred memorials may be made.

Two of his favorite charities are: Honoring Our Fallen, 12111 Saint Mark Street, Garden Grove, CA 92845 (honoringourfallen.org); Heroes on the Water, 101 C North Greenville Avenue, Suite 55, Allen, TX 75002 (heroesonthewater.org). These organizations support fallen warriors’ families, or wounded warriors and their families; endeavors very close to Jerry’s heart.