Jerry Leigh Buckendahl

November 15, 1941 - August 23, 2018

Jerry Leigh Buckendahl, age 76, of Alta, Iowa died August 23, 2018 at Methodist Manor Retirement Community in Storm Lake. Funeral Mass will take place Tuesday, August 28, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Storm Lake. Burial will be in the St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will take place Monday, August 27, 2018 from 5-7:00 p.m. with a vigil service at 7:00 p.m. at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in STORM LAKE. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Alta playground fund. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements. Jerry was born November 15, 1941 in Santa Monica, California. He was the son of Edwin and Vera (Peck) Buckendahl. He attended and graduated from Alta High School in 1960. Jerry served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. Jerry married Vernie Rassler on August 1, 1966. They made their home and raised five children in Alta. Jerry worked as a salesman for most of his career and retired from Methodist Manor where he worked in the maintenance department. After retirement he helped Vernie with her in home daycare. Jerry was active in the community and served in various organizations and on several boards including the Alta Library Board, Park Board, and was also a city councilman. He was a member of Kiwanis and VFW. Jerry very much enjoyed visiting about local events and happenings with family, neighbors, and friends. He also loved the holidays and would always decorate for Christmas, both inside and outside the house. He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Vernie Buckendahl; a brother, Ed Buckendahl; brothers-in-law, Larry Beckendorf and Ray Rassler. He is survived by his children, Dave (Darla) Buckendahl of Alta, Iowa, Daniel Buckendahl of Alta, Iowa, Dale (Susan) Buckendahl of Alta, Iowa, Nancy (Keith) Erlandson of Xi’an China, and Doug Buckendahl of Alta, Iowa; 8 grandchildren, Ashleigh (Bryan) Arndorfer, Alyssa (Doug) Miller, Kelsey Erlandson, Parker Buckendahl, Lily Buckendahl, Trista Erlandson, Lainey Buckendahl and Meleigha Buckendahl; 2 great grandchildren, Neal and Bailey Miller; sister, Jane Beckendorf ; brother, James (Melody) Buckendahl; sisters-in-law, Carol Buckendahl, Annabelle (Ron) Chindlund, Peg Anderson, Sally Rassler, Dee (Kelly) Meyer; brothers-in-law, Ed Rassler, and Ken (Becky) Rassler, and many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.