Gerald "Jerry" Vens

Gerald D. “Jerry” Vens, 82, a resident of rural Dixon, Iowa, died Thursday, May 21, 2020 at UnityPoint Trinity Rock Island.

A private service will be at 1:00 PM Friday, May 29, 2020 at the columbarium in the cemetery at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Long Grove.  Family and friends are invited to come and stand at a distance from the columbarium to view the service.  Social distancing rules should be followed and masks are required.

Jerry was born February 21, 1938 in Scott County, Iowa, the son of Arthur L. and Marguerite (Lager) Vens. He was united in marriage to Judith A. Carstens on September 14, 1963 at Our Lady of Lourdes in Bettendorf.

Jerry worked for Alcoa for 13 years and later as a semi driver for H&W for 20 years. After retiring, he spent most of his time working on his farm, hauling dirt, and operating his backhoe and tractor.  Jerry was in the Army National Guard and was a member of St. Ann’s Catholic Church.

Jerry was a very social person and was always willing to lend a hand to anyone who needed help. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and playing cards with family and friends. Jerry cherished his time spent with his family, especially his grandchildren. He loved taking his grandchildren on four-wheeler rides through his timber and putting together a puzzle with their help. Jerry was a devoted husband, father, brother, uncle, and grandpa. He will be remembered as someone who always kept busy, and was always outside working on a project.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Ann’s Church.

Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Judy; daughters, Jodi (Dave) Gallens of Dixon and Jackie (Kevin) Oetzmann of Long Grove; grandchildren, Brett, Lindsay, Connor, Carson, and Taylor; a brother, Larry Vens of Davenport.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and a sister, JoAnn Denklau.