Jerome “Jerry” Ameling

Tuesday, June 7, 2016 2:20 pm

Jerome “Jerry” Ameling, 63, of Ossian, passed away peacefully June 1, 2016, at his home surrounded by his family after a courageous seven-year battle with cancer. Mass of Christian Burial was 10 a.m. Saturday, June 4, at Our Lady of Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Festina, with Rev. Robert Gross officiating. Mass servers were Jackson Hertges, Rebecca Hertges and Alyssa Hertges. Organist was Diane Stee. Soloists were Don DiLaura and Sue Lienau (“Here I Am Lord,” “Prayer of St. Francis,” “One Bread One Body,” “Go Rest High on that Mountain” and “Eagles Wings”). Offertory gift bearers were Kayla Buchheit, Kim Shea, Brittany Kuennen and Sadie Gibson. Lector was Roger Koenig. Eucharistic ministers were Joyce Piorkowski, Pat Tekippe and Tom Bushman. Honorary casket bearers were Darby and Diane Cook, John and Louise Heying, Virgil and Jo Thuente, Jonathan and Jessie Kipp, Travis and Jessie Lennon and Don and Eileen Kipp. Casket bearers were Nick Buchheit, Rodney Linderbaum, Devyn Hoefler, Brad Hertges, Justin Koenig, Christian Ameling, Jason Krueger, Dustin Hicks and Ron Hertges. Interment was at St. Francis De Sales Catholic Cemetery, Ossian. Arrangements were handled by Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, French Chapel, Calmar.

Jerome Clarence Ameling was born Dec. 16, 1952, the son of Clarence and Ida (Smith) Ameling in West Union. He attended St. John’s grade school and graduated from South Winneshiek High School in 1972. Jerry was united in marriage to Joan Schrandt Oct. 17, 1981, at St. Francis De Sales Catholic Church in Ossian. He worked several jobs over the years, Weselmann Meat Market, White Farms, the Milwaukee Railroad and then Calmar Manufacturing where he worked for many years until his health forced him to retire in 2009. Jerry enjoyed spending time with his best friend, Molly. Jerry also enjoyed hunting and fishing. He took trips to Colorado and Alaska to hunt and traveled to Lake of the Woods and to the Mississippi River to fish. He enjoyed going to Sprint Cup races, especially his trip to Daytona in 2009. He always rooted for Dale Earnhardt. Jerry enjoyed planting his garden every year and making salsa with his mom. Most of all, he loved spending time with his family and friends and with two special people in his life, Kayla and Nicholas. He loves you both.

Jerry survived by his wife, Joan, Ossian; mother, Ida Ameling, Fort Atkinson; siblings: Judy Hertges, Ossian; John (Dawn) Ameling, Galena, Ill.; Janet (Roger) Koenig, Ossian; Joan (Gary) Johnson, Cedar Rapids; Joyce (Rod) Hicks, Soddy Daisy, Tenn.; Jackie (Randy) Kuennen, Fort Atkinson; Joe Ameling, Fort Atkinson; and Julie Ameling, Ossian; sister-in-law, Joyce (Ray) Piorkowski, Elkader; brothers-in-law, Jerry (Beverly) Schrandt, Ossian and Don (Sherri) Schrandt, Britt;  nieces and nephews: Ron (Marsha) Hertges, Brad (Karen) Hertges, Christian Ameling, Justin (Kim) Koenig, Jill (Chris) Pasbrig, Brandy Reece, Brooke (Justin) Ruley, Dustin (Miranda) Hicks, Jason (Robin) Kruger, Ashley (Matt Nost), Brittany and Courtney Kuennen, Brittany and Sadie Gibson, Rodney (Kara Rahe) Linderbaum, Kim (Jonathan) Shea, Michelle (Dan) Clements, Julie (George Schaefers) Hoefler, Nicole (Steve) Buchheit, Kate (Steve) Rogers, Gina Blake and Carla Llewellyn; great-nieces and -nephews: Derek, Tyler, Alex and Alyssa Hertges, Rebecca and Jackson Hertges, Lauren and Elizabeth “Lizzie” Pasbrig, Docker Reece and Austin Kruger, Nicholas (Olivia McGee) Buchheit, Kayla (Riley Sebastian) Buchheit, Devyn, Austin, Jenna and Ethan Hoefler, Ruby Shea, Zebastian Riherd, Caitlyn, Ella and Jordyn Blake and Bailey Llewellyn.

Jerry was preceded in death by his father, Clarence Ameling; father- and mother-in-law, Herbert and Florence Schrandt; brothers-in-law, Richard Hertges and Richard Linderbaum; nephew, Troy Hertges;  nieces, Maddy Gibson and Mindy Schrandt.