Jerome “Jerry” Albert Irlbeck was born on April 8, 1937, the son of Alphonse and Margaret Catherine (Underberg) Irlbeck in Dedham, Iowa. He attended country school near his home as well as Dedham and Templeton. He began by working alongside his father before entering the U.S. Army in February of 1956. During his service, Jerry undertook the roles of Field Communications Crewman and driver in Germany, showcasing his dedication to his country. His military journey came to an end in December of 1957 when he was honorably discharged.
Upon returning home, Jerry met Mary Steffes and the couple married October 10, 1959 at Sacred Heart Church in Manning. They were blessed with two children David and Sarah. Jerry worked as a mechanic for Puck Implement and Manning Motor Company for a couple years while he began farming north of Aspinwall. In 1968, he moved to the home farm, south of Westside, where he continued to farm until the mid-1980s. He then transitioned into a distinguished 20-year tenure with the Crawford County Police Departments in Westside, Vail, and Denison. His commitment to upholding law and order within the community shone through during his time in law enforcement. Jerry concluded his professional endeavors at the Aspinwall CO-OP, where he worked diligently until his well-deserved retirement in 2012 around which time he moved from the farm into Manning. Even after retiring, Jerry continued contributing through seasonal work at the CO-OP anhydrous plant.
As a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Manning and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, he remained actively involved in community initiatives close to his heart. In moments of leisure, Jerry found relaxation in fishing, as well as hunting prairie dogs with his brothers in Nebraska. He found excitement in buying, selling and collecting guns. In his later years, he thoroughly enjoyed being outdoors, sitting outside in the sun, feeding the squirrels, and going out to get some ice cream. He was a man of simple pleasures. One of Jerry’s greatest sources of happiness was making memories with his family, cherishing every moment shared with them.
Jerry died early on Friday morning, June 7, 2024 after a short illness at St. Anthony Hospital in Carroll, Iowa at the age of 87 years, one month and 30 days.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; siblings: Mary Helen in infancy, Bernard “Sonny” Irlbeck, John (Barbara) Irlbeck, Mary Ann (Frank) Irlmeier, Raymond Irlbeck and James Irlbeck. He is survived by his son, David (Michelle) Irlbeck of Salem, Illinois; daughter, Sarah (Andrew) Segebart of Carroll; 8 grandchildren: Alicia Hughes, Nichole Garcia, Shawn Scarlett, Brittany Oldham, Alisha Keller, and Madeline, Elizabeth and Adam Segebart; 12 great-grandchildren; brothers: LeRoy (Elaine) Irlbeck of Manning, Thomas (Dawn) Irlbeck of Aspinwall, Fred (Karen) Irlbeck of Aspinwall and Eugene “Gene” (Mary Jo) of Carroll; sisters-in-law: Helen Irlbeck of Carroll, Marian Irlbeck of Aspinwall and Pat Irlbeck of Manning; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
A prayer service will be held at 4:30 p.m. followed by a rosary and visitation with family greeting friends will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 9, 2024 at the Ohde Funeral Home in Manning. His Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, June 10, 2024 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Manning. Interment with military honors will be held in the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery also in Manning. Memorials may be directed to the family.
