Gerald John Hedstrom

Gerald J. Hedstrom, age 89, of Storm Lake, Iowa died Thursday, July 14, 2016 at Methodist Manor Retirement Community in Storm Lake. Funeral services will be held Monday, July 18, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at Bethel Baptist Church in Newell, Iowa. Burial will follow at 2:00 p.m. at the Kiron Community Cemetery in Kiron, Iowa. Visitation will take place Sunday, July 17, 2016 from 5-7:30 p.m. at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake. Memorials may be made to the Bethel Baptist Church in Newell. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements. Gerald John Hedstrom, the son of Jubel Franklin and Florence Mae (Johnson) Hedstrom, was born January 5, 1927 in Odebolt, Iowa, the oldest of 6 children and the only one born in a hospital. His home was full of love, activity and faith. In his youth, he attended an evangelistic meeting with his family and realized he was a sinner, separated from God by his sin. He accepted Christ’s free gift of salvation on “Decision Sunday.” At the age of 11 or 12, out of obedience to God’s Word, Gerald was baptized at the Kiron Baptist Church. Gerald attended school in Kiron, graduating from high school in 1944. In April 1945, Gerald was drafted into the United States Army. After basic training in Texas, he served his country during World War II in Fort Meyer, Virginia. Since he played cornet in school, he played taps for the base. Gerald was selected for the honor guard, guarding various visiting dignitaries including President Eisenhower. While stationed there, he worshiped at the same Baptist Church that President and Mrs. Trumann attended. He was honorably discharged October 1946. Returning home, Gerald started farming with his father and brother, and drove a Standard Oil delivery truck. On June 25, 1950 (the day the Korean War broke out), Gerald was united in marriage to Gladys Mae Jensen in Schleswig. Together they were blessed with three daughters: Glenda, Gail, and Glee. They farmed Gladys’ father’s farm south of Ida Grove. Gladys died suddenly on March 28, 1965. Gerald’s sister, Evangeline Hedstrom, came back from her mission work in Peru to help her brother and care for her 3 nieces. Gerald married Shirley Josephine Daley of Sioux City, a friend from his youth, on January 15, 1967. They passed on a good and godly heritage, raising their 3 daughters to know, love & serve the Lord, to work hard but trust God’s providence, and to love others. After almost 46 years of marriage, Shirley died on December 16, 2012. In addition to God and family, Gerald enjoyed farming and travel. He & Shirley traveled to Europe and Scandinavia several times, Alaska, Hawaii, and Gerald served on mission trips 3 times to Nicaragua. He was proud to have served in the army and really enjoyed taking the honor flight to Washington D.C. But, his favorite place to be was with family, often bringing his fry pan and treating everyone to “Gerald’s Famous Pancakes.” Gerald’s faith in the Lord always came first in his life. He grew up in the Kiron Baptist Church and was a member for many years, serving and leading in many capacities, but he especially impacted many young lives as a high school Sunday School teacher. Gerald and Shirley moved to Storm Lake about 10 years ago and became members of Bethel Baptist Church in Newell where he served on the Mission Committee and prayed faithfully for the church and pastors. His hope & prayer for his family was “that they continue to seek & trust God, read & apply the Bible, and live lives that are godly and full of dignity. I thank the Lord daily for His faithfulness and all the ways He has directed the paths of my life.” (reference to Proverbs 3:5,6) Those left to cherish his memory include his daughters: Glenda (Irvin) Larsen of Urbandale, Iowa; Gail (Doug) Lacey of Sioux City, Iowa; Glee (Dr. David) Crippin of Storm Lake, Iowa; grandchildren: Ann (David) Davis, Eric (Melanie) Larsen, Amy (Michael) Schrodt, Dr. Benjamin (Katie) Lacey, Jen (Nathaniel) Feddes, Jill (Shane) Furgason, Alexander (Laura) Crippin, Dr. Nicholas (Dr. Brittany) Crippin; great grandchildren: David III, Abigail, and Clare Davis; Isaiah, Elliott, and Judah Larsen; Corbin and Weston Schrodt; Evangeline, Daphne, Vivian, and Bianca Lacey; Jonathan, Callen, and Owen Feddes; brother, Bueal Hedstrom of Schleswig, Iowa; sisters: Evangeline Webster of Denison, Iowa; Maydelle Oslund of Ashburn, Virginia; Evelyn (Jim) Moller of Spirit Lake, Iowa; sister-in-law, Jan Abbott of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; special friend, Shirley Rippstein of Phoenix, Arizona; extended family and friends. Gerald was preceded in death by his parents; wives, Gladys and Shirley; brother, Burdette; sister-in-law, Deloris Hedstrom; brothers-in-law, William Webster and Harvey Oslund; great granddaughter, Piper Jean Schrodt.

Gerald John Hedstrom

January 5, 1927 - July 14, 2016