Obituary of Gerald F. Westhoff

NEW VIENNA, IOWA

Gerald Francis Westhoff, 79, of New Vienna passed away surrounded by his family on August 18, 2024. He was born April 9, 1945, in Dubuque to Hubert and Marie (Scherbring) Westhoff.

Visitation will be held from 3 – 8 p.m. on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville with a military service held at 7 p.m. by American Legion Post #137.  Visitation will continue at Kramer Funeral Home from 9 - 10 a.m. prior to the funeral mass.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, August 22, 2024, at St. Boniface Catholic Church in New Vienna with burial in the church cemetery. 

Gerry graduated from St. Boniface High School in 1963 and worked for his dad at Hub’s Repair Shop. He served in the Iowa Army National Guard. He married Mary Kay Klostermann on January 18, 1967, in Petersburg, Iowa. Together, they opened Gerry’s Welding & Fab. Inc. He was a committed business leader, volunteer firefighter, and community member. Gerry was awarded the National Blacksmith of the Year, New Vienna Citizen of the Year, and Dubuque County Small Businessman of the Year. He was instrumental in the creation of the New Vienna Economic Development Association and the New Vienna Veterans Memorial.

Gerry lived life to the fullest, creating memories with beloved family and friends through travel, fishing, and living out his faith. He was a lifelong member of St. Boniface Parish and dedicated to serving his community and parish.

Those left to cherish memories of Gerry are his wife, Mary Kay, of 57 years, Cory (Michele) Westhoff of Petersburg, Pam (Ken) Schmit of Hospers, Kim (Rob) Bowen of Center Point, De Schieltz of Marion, Kandy (Chad) Sands of Urbandale, Jody (Tim) Mead of West Des Moines, and Jackie (Joe) Haan of Cumming. He was blessed with 21 grandchildren: Tia (Marco) Izzia, Spencer Westhoff, Elise (Chris Parma) Westhoff, Ethan (Galilea) Westhoff, Anya Westhoff, Gabrielle Westhoff, Ashley (Elliot) Ziemer, Kaylee Schmit, Cody (Isabelle) Schmit, Anthony Schmit, Mikayla Bowen, Andrew Bowen, Ellie Schieltz, Abby Schieltz, Reya Sands, Mara, Lucas, and Caleb Mead, and Katherine, Brock, and Dane Haan. He treasured five great-grandchildren. Gerry is also survived by his sister, Marilee (Chuck) Koelker, in-laws: Mary Jean (Toots) Westhoff and Don (Cheryl) Klostermann, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his parents-in-law, Everett and Bernice Klostermann, brother, Henry Westhoff, sister, Marilyn (in infancy), in-laws: Floyd and Esther Klostermann, and son-in-law, Randy Westemeier.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Boniface Parish in New Vienna and the New Vienna Fire Department.

Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville is assisting the family and information is available at www.kramerfuneral.com.  Memorials may be sent to the family, (in care of Kramer Funeral Home) 750 12^th Ave SW, Dyersville, IA  52040.