Jerry Norman Monroe

Monday, March 4, 2019 3:29 pm

Jerry Norman Monroe, 70, of Castalia, died Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019, at his home following a courageous battle with cancer. Visitation was from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday, March 3, at Ossian Lutheran Church, Ossian. There also was a one-hour visitation before services at the church Monday. Celebration of Life was at 11 a.m. Monday, March 4, at Ossian Lutheran Church, Ossian, with Rev. David Lenth as the officiant. Inurnment will be at a later date at Greenwood Cemetery in Ossian. Schmitz-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Ossian helped the family with arrangements.

Jerry was born March 24, 1948, to Rueben and June (Allen) Monroe in Decorah. He graduated from South Winn High School. Jerry was united in marriage with Patricia Reckward Oct. 8, 1966, at The Little Brown Church in Nashua. He worked as a mechanic at Decorah Implement for many years and then started farming in 1977 full time. Jerry kept life simple and lived off the land. He ran a small farm, affectionately called “Monroe Village” by family and friends. Jerry raised beef and dairy cows and also crops throughout his life. He enjoyed teaching his grandchildren how to farm (and to fix farm machinery). Jerry also loved to go deer hunting, coon hunting and fishing. Jerry also liked to tell a hunting story or two. Family was the most important to Jerry and he cherished spending time with his grandchildren and going on special hunting adventures with his family and friends.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Patricia “Patty” Monroe of Castalia; children, Julie (Matt) Mettille of Decorah and Summer (Chris) Wiedow of Castalia; grandchildren: Olivia Mettille, Britann Mettille, Blake Mettille, Makinzie (Ben Dugger) Monroe, Parker Monroe, Luke Wiedow, Dalton Wiedow and Kolton Wiedow; siblings, Janette Ryder-Blong, Lorrie Beisker (Larry Cox) and Allen Monroe (Amy Ryan); siblings-in-law, Jerry (Julie) Reckward, Sue (Dale) Lenth and Gin (Roger) Sanford; sister-in-law, Judy Reckward; many special nieces, nephews and extended family members.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Rueben and June Monroe; daughter, Amy Monroe, in 2013; sister, LaVerna Peck; and brothers-in-law, Eldo Peck, Don Ryder, Jerry Blong, David Beisker and Jim Reckward.