Gerald Wilson, 94

Nov. 11, 1931 -

Nov. 26, 2025

 

CRESCO - Gerald E. Wilson, age 94, of Cresco, Iowa, passed away on November 26, 2025.

Visitation will be held at Notre Dame Catholic Church on Tuesday, December 2, 2025 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm.  A Mass of Christian burial will be held at Notre Dame Catholic Church on Wednesday, December 3, 2025 at 11:00 a.m.  with Father Jacob Rouse officiating.  One hour prior to the service a visitation will be held at the church.  A Burial will follow at the Calvary Cemetery.

Gerald Emmett Wilson (Jerry) was born November 11, 1931, in rural Schley to William Emmett and Gladys (Sovereign) Wilson.  The family later moved to a farm near Cresco where Jerry attended country school, and later Cresco High School where he graduated in 1950.  While in high school Jerry was a scrappy 129 pound wrestler for the Cresco Spartans winning the district title and placing second at state wrestling in 1950.  Between high school and college, Jerry met a beautiful young lady by the name of Belva Ernst while playing softball.  He knew he wanted to date her, but was told by her father to come back in a few years when Belva was old enough to date.  Following high school, Jerry attended Iowa State College in Ames where he earned a 2-year degree in Farm Operations.  While at Iowa State he played saxophone in the marching band, wrestled, and was a member of Phi Kappa Fraternity.  He created many memories and loved to share stories about his days as a Cyclone, but always knew he would head for the home farm to make a life.

In the spring of 1953 Jerry returned home to farm with his parents.  They raised Brown Swiss cattle, hogs, chickens, and crops. Jerry was finally allowed to date Belva Ernst.  The duo fell in love and then married on July 14, 1956, at Assumption Catholic Church in Cresco and added four amazing children to the family.  During their married life of 62 years, they raised and showed purebred Chester White Hogs at many state fairs across the U.S., and sold across the U.S. and numerous foreign countries.  Together they raised corn, soybeans, and lively kids, who also helped with all aspects of the farm.  The three generational family farm is still in existence today.

A quote from Henry James describes Jerry’s outlook:  “Live all you can; it’s a mistake not to.”  This was evident in his daily life of working and playing hard.  Jerry continued to farm with his son Bart until he could no longer, but kept close tabs on the crops and livestock, making frequent trips out the farm in his trusty red and black truck.  Jerry and Belva joined the Cresco Country Club in 1976, with Jerry still golfing in the spring of 2025.  In later years, he picked up tennis while they wintered in Arizona, and then pickleball, making many friends of all ages.  Jerry had a lifelong love of polka music and dancing, was a force to be reckoned with on the dance floor, and was always willing to share this talent with others.   Jerry was a very social person and liked conversation.  If you were a stranger to him, you didn’t stay that way for long. 

Jerry was a very active member of the Cresco Kiwanis Club, bank board member for Cresco National Bank (now Cresco Bank and Trust), a 4-H Leader for many years, served on the boards of the National and Iowa Pork Producers, was the President of Howard County Farm Bureau, and served on the CIDC in Cresco.    Jerry received the Outstanding Young Farmer award in 1963 from the Cresco Chamber of Commerce, was named a Iowa Master Seedstock Producer in 1976, was honored as the grand marshal of the Norman Borlaug Heritage Foundation Parade in 2019, and was named to the 4-H Hall of Fame in 2024.  Jerry was a lifelong member of Assumption/Notre Dame Catholic Church.

Jerry is survived by his four children Sheila Laubenthal-Black (Jim), Algona, IA, Dana (Mitzi) Wilson of Cumming, GA, Bart (Julie) Wilson of Cresco, IA, and Todd (Lori) Wilson of Algona, IA; eight grandchildren, USAF Lieutenant Colonel Shannon (Josh) Boyles of Montgomery, AL, Kendra (Jeff) Bell of Elkhorn, NE, Shane Wilson of Dallas, TX, Hannah (Benji) Swanson of Cumming, GA, Andrea (Jameson) Eberline of Marion, IA, Rebecca (Nathan) Benson of Pierre, SD, Ryan (Kathryn) Wilson of Bradenton, FL, and Alex Wilson, Cherokee, IA; three step-grandchildren, Byron Black of Conroe, TX, Rachael Black of St. Paul, MN, Elizabeth Black of St. Paul, MN; eight great-grandchildren, Wallace, Winnie, and Willoughby Bell of Elkhorn, NE, Noah and Rowan Boyles of Montgomery, AL, Asher and Laurel Eberline of Marion, IA, and Otto Benson of Pierre, SD; two step-great-grandchildren, Matthew and Emily Boyles of Cedar Rapids, IA.

Jerry leaves behind many special friends, including his Kiwanis cohorts, Sue-Z-Q’s coffee gang, golf, card, and pickleball buddies.  Jerry and family are grateful for the excellent care from the Evans Senior Living nursing staff and Hospice of Howard County.

Jerry was preceded in death by his sister Shirley Wilson, parents, Emmett and Gladys Wilson, Richard Laubenthal, son-in-law, Brandon Laubenthal, grandson, and wife Belva.

 Jerry would often raise a glass to toast special occasions with his well-known quote: “Here’s to your health, happiness, and good nature throughout the day and evening!” Jerry’s positive outlook on life will be greatly missed.  Even during his final months when asked how he was, his reply was, “Never better!”  He would want us all to take on that motto and keep living life to the fullest. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Hospice of Howard County, HOCA, Cresco Kiwanis, or Notre Dame Catholic Church.