Gerald "Jerry" Nash

Rural Mitchell County resident, Gerald “Jerry” Nash, passed away on Friday, February 7, 2025, following a brief illness at the Good Samaritan Center in Saint Ansgar, Iowa, where he had been a two-year resident.

A memorial service will be held at Deer Creek Lutheran Church, rural Carpenter, Iowa, on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be held at the church one hour prior to the service. Gerald’s ashes and those of his wife, Josephine, will be placed in a single urn and returned to the earth in a private remembrance, at the Burr Oak, Iowa cemetery, at a later date.

Born at home in Winneshiek County, Iowa, on September 30, 1930, Gerald was the only child of tenant farmers, Bernard and Dora Louise (Krumm) Nash. Gerald experienced many hardships during the Great Depression and World War II eras, as much of the farm labor was accomplished by hand, or with a team of draft horses. It would be many years before Gerald would enjoy the benefits of rural electric, indoor plumbing, or a gasoline tractor. 

Gerald attended a one-room country schoolhouse in his Winneshiek County neighborhood. When he had completed the eighth grade, his father moved the family and farming operation to a farm near Cresco, in Howard County, so that Gerald could attend high school. 

From the age of 14, Gerald performed the farm labor of an adult man. After the milking and other farm chores had been completed, Gerald had to get himself to and from the high school by any means available—walking (in deep snow, uphill both ways, of course), by horseback, or by tractor. Graduating from the Cresco High School in 1948, Gerald’s education would not end there, as he was a voracious reader and a lifelong learner. 

With the military draft threatening to disrupt the plans of most young men at the start of the Korean War, Gerald voluntarily enlisted in the United States Air Force in April 1951. After completing Basic Training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, Gerald was ordered to McConnell Air Force Base at Wichita, Kansas, where the B-47 bomber was being tested.

Gerald was next ordered to the Colorado State College of Agriculture & Mechanical Arts in Fort Collins (now Colorado State University), where he trained to be an Air Force Veterinary Technician. It was in Fort Collins where Gerald met the love of his life, Josephine Smith, a Home Economics major. Gerald was ordered back to McConnell Air Force Base, where he served until, he was honorably discharged in December 1953.

On April 4, 1954, “Jerry” and “Jo” made their lifetime commitment in her hometown church at Florence, Colorado. After a brief honeymoon at the Grand Canyon, Gerald returned to the Howard County, Iowa farmhouse, with his bride, and worked the land in partnership with his father. Two years later, the Nash family relocated to Worth County, Iowa, and eventually to Mitchell County, Iowa.

In 1965, Gerald was recognized as a Master Swine Producer by the Iowa Swine Producer’s Association, Iowa State University, the Iowa Department of Agriculture, and WHO Radio in Des Moines. Later that year, the Northwood, Iowa Jaycees honored Gerald with their Outstanding Young Farmer award at the club’s annual year-end recognition dinner. For many years, Gerald served on the Board of Directors reviewing agricultural loans for the Production Credit Association in Mason City, Iowa. For a period of time, Gerald served as the board president.

Still mentally sharp at the age of 94, Gerald listened to the grain markets each weekday and was actively making plans for the future. On February 7, 2025, with his children and grandchildren at his side, Gerald peacefully slipped into eternity. There, he joined his personal Savior and his sweetheart, Josephine, who passed away on August 25, 2019, after 65+ years of marriage. 

Gerald is survived by two children, Vesta and Robert, three grandchildren, Joshua, Kristen, David, and great-granddaughter, Lauren. In addition to his beloved Josephine, Gerald was preceded in death by his parents and infant grandson, Jonathan.

Gerald embraced his small role in helping to feed the world. Having lived through the Great Depression, World War II, and the 1980’s Farm Crisis, Gerald left an exemplary example of faith, hard work, and perseverance. Farming is what Gerald did to earn a living. FARMER was Gerald’s essence as a man. Rest now, FARMER—your work is done.

 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; …enter thou into the joy of thy lord. —Mathew 25:23 KJV