Jerry Kauzlarich's Obituary
Jerold "Jerry" Kauzlarich, of Aurora, Colorado and formerly of Centerville, Iowa passed away on February 20, 2018 at Belleview Heights in Aurora. Jerry was born to the late Joseph and Dorothy (Templin) Kauzlarich in Kenosha, Wisconsin. At the age of 7 the family relocated to Numa, Iowa. After graduating from Centerville High School, Jerry attended Centerville Community College and then Northeast Missouri State University in Kirksville, MO where he received his bachelor's degree. He then went on to obtain his master's degree in Industrial Arts at Northeast Missouri State and later engaged in additional post-graduate studies in the field at the University of Wyoming in Laramie and Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. On July 23, 1966 Jerry married Jean Traxler, the daughter of H. Paul and Jewel Traxler from Exline, Iowa and to this union two children, Michael Paul and Jill Ann were born. The family would reside for many years in Exline, Iowa. The couple were divorced in 1989 and on November 12, 1993 he married Judy Huffman. Jerry began teaching Industrial Arts and Drafting in 1966 at Centerville Community College (later Indian Hills Community College) and would go on to serve in various capacities including Centerville Campus Director and later Assistant Dean at the main campus in Ottumwa, Iowa. He left Indian Hills in 1977 to take a job as Vice President for Sales and Marketing at Missouri Mining, a subsidiary of American Industries and Resources Corporation in Steubenville, Ohio. Several years later he worked in a similar capacity for the Howard County Coal Company in Fayette, Missouri. In 1984 he left the coal business and purchased Centerville Body Shop, Inc. from Marion Stepnowski. He continued as the owner/operator until his retirement in 2010. In his spare time Jerry enjoyed many interests and hobbies over the years, including HO gauge model railroading, hunting, fishing, woodworking, softball and golf. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, the Appanoose County Country Club, and a 4th Degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus. Jerry is survived by his beloved wife, Judy; son, Dr. Michael Kauzlarich of Johnson City, Tennessee; daughter, Jill Kauzlarich of Bloomfield, Iowa; brother, Joseph Kauzlarich, Jr. of Kenosha, Wisconsin; sister, Betty Richardson of Moline, Illinois as well as many nieces and nephews. Visitation with family will be from 9:00-11:00 a.m. followed by a memorial service at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 10, 2018 at Thomas Funeral Home in Centerville with Father Mike Volkmer officiating. Interment will be at a later date at Haines Cemetery. Memorials may be made to St. Mary's Catholic Church and online condolences may be shared at www.thomasfh.com. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Jerry Kauzlarich please visit our Sympathy Store. Cemetery Details Haines Cemetery Hwy 5 & 470th Street
Centerville, IA 52544 Visitation MAR 10. 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM (CST) Thomas Funeral Home-Centerville 501 North 18th StreetCenterville, IA 52544[emailprotected]http://www.thomasfh.com Memorial Service MAR 10. 11:00 AM (CST) Thomas Funeral Home-Centerville 501 North 18th StreetCenterville, IA 52544[emailprotected]http://www.thomasfh.com
What’s your fondest memory of Jerry?
What’s a lesson you learned from Jerry?
Share a story where Jerry's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Jerry you’ll never forget.
How did Jerry make you smile?