Gerald "Jerry" Pasker

Gerald “Jerry” Pasker, 74, of Manchester, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, April 17, 2018 at his home.  He was born on June 7, 1943, in Manchester, the son of Joseph and Antionette (Dingbaum) Pasker.  Jerry was raised on a farm near Masonville, attended school at St. Mary Catholic School, and was a 1961 graduate of Manchester High School.  At the age of 9 he started playing the steel guitar and by the age of 15 was playing publicly. Dee Keeney made sure that he practiced and taught him well.

On June 20, 1964, Jerry was united in marriage to Jean Heims at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Ryan.  Five children were born to this union.  Jerry worked at Henderson’s and did some t.v. repair. He worked as a test technician at Rockwell Collins for 22 years, retiring in 2007.  Jerry’s other love and career was music.  He played steel guitar for 50 plus years, playing in several bands including Dave Kramer and the Western Kings and the Dave Dighton Band.  Jerry also created and managed the band Dancin’ Country for ten plus years after retiring. He enjoyed playing his music for people to dance to, as well as entertaining at nursing homes.  Jerry loved seeing the joy that his music brought to people.

Jerry was a longtime member of St. Mary Catholic Church. He was active in the Knights of Columbus and the Knights of Pythias.

Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Jean Pasker of Manchester; his five children, Annette (Dennis) Knipper of Edgewood, Kathy (Don) Boeding of Dundee, Marvin (Pam) Pasker of North Liberty, Sharon (Chris) Johnson of Cedar Rapids, and Mary (Willie) Wendt of West Liberty; 14 grandchildren, Zachary, Cameron, and Carson Knipper, Jessie (Jeff) Oleson, Jennifer and Gina Boeding, Brodie and Delaney Pasker, Chandler Johnson, Lincoln Anderegg, Faith and Alex Johnson, and Courtney and Skylar Wendt; siblings, Ken Pasker, Joe (Dana) Pasker, Donna (Norm) Wiest, Carol Beaman, and Julie (Bob) Heims; and many nieces and nephews.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law, Frank and Marie Heims; sister, Jean Recker; brother-in-law, Elmer Heims; sister-in-law, Paula Pasker; and nephew, Darrell Heims.

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