Gerald Fineran

Gerald “Jerry” Fineran was born November 10, 1923, the son of James and Sarah Fineran. He passed away Monday, September 29, 2014, at Creighton University Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska, at the age of 90.
Jerry was born in Denison, Iowa. He attended Denison Community Schools, graduating with the class of 1941. On November 26, 1947, Jerry was united in marriage to Norma Koenck at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Denison. The couple made their home on a farm south of Boyer for a few years and then to a farm south of Denison, near Donna Reed Road. They later moved to the Fineran home farm, until the late 1980's, when they moved to Denison.
Jerry was an avid farmer who’s passion for working the land was passed down to his children and grandchildren. He also raised black angus cows and enjoyed tinkering with antique tractors. He attended welding school in Cedar Rapids where he became a certified pipe welder. Over the years he worked in Carroll, Minneapolis, was meter reader for REC, and as a Pinkterton Guard at Farmland Foods.
He was a family man who devoted his time to encouraging his family to enjoy life. He enjoyed following his children’s sporting events and was instrumental in the Labor Day Tractor Pull in Deloit. He had a passion for softball and, for many years, coached the Deloit fast pitch softball team which he started. He helped build the little league field and also the softball field in Deloit from a cornfield. In more recent years, Jerry, could be found driving around looking over the local area, having coffee at McDonald’s, and watching baseball and Bonanza on T.V. His infectious smile and love and devotion to his family will be forever remembered by all he met.
Gerald was preceded in death by: his parents James and Sarah Fineran; his wife, Norma; one son, Kenny; five sisters: Genevieve, Sara, Agnes, Louise, and Sister Noreen; eight brothers: Francis, Emmett, Clarence, William, Leo, Ben, Joe and Greg; ten sisters-in-law: Lajune Fineran, Garnette Fineran, Catherine Fineran, Mary Fineran, Margaret Fineran, Gladys Fineran, Juanita Fineran, Elizabeth Fineran, Loretta Fineran and Trudy Koenck; seven brothers-in-law Lloyd Koenck, Ray Koenck, Vernie Koenck, Donald Zimmer, Brian Dalton, Paul Schroeder, and Paul Gaffey. Survivors include: three sons, Kevin and his wife, Diane; Dennis and his wife, Michelle; and Mike and his wife, Dena; two daughters, Jeriann and her husband, Dean; and Bonnie and her husband, Blaine; fourteen grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; three sisters-in-law; Betty; Lorraine; and Mary Lou; many other relatives and friends.