Jerry Horkheimer, 74, of Hazleton passed away Monday November 23, 2020 at Buchanan County Health Center in Independence. Mass of Christian Burial will be private at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Oelwein. Interment will be in Fontana Cemetery at Hazleton. A public Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. A memorial fund has been established.
Gerald Louis Horkheimer was born in Prairie du Chien, WI on August 31, 1946 to parents Louis and Rita (Lorenz) Horkheimer. He graduated from Prairie du Chien High School with the class of 1964. On May 24, 1966 he was united in marriage with Rose Beesecker. Jerry and Rose moved to Hazleton in 1968 and established Horkheimer Enterprises Inc.
Jerry employed and provided homes to countless residents of Hazleton and surrounding areas over the 52 years of business. Many of these people turned into lifelong friends or even became part of the family. Jerry’s passion was his business and providing for his family. Oddly enough, he seemed to have the best times in life when he was working, whether it was conducting business, on a tractor, on a bulldozer at his farm or helping family and friends.
He also enjoyed watching his children grow up in the business where he felt most confident in the things he could teach them. He loved meeting new people and handing out his million dollar bills. Jerry spent the last 7 years enjoying partial retirement and vacationing with his significant other Sharon Davis.
Apart from Jerry being a business owner, he was an active member and former President of the Iowa Manufactured Housing Association. He helped sculpt the foundation to which the manufactured home business is conducted to this day. He has been a longtime member of the Shriner’s Organization and Hazleton Commercial Club. He was a longtime supporter of the Republican National Committee to where many of you knew he loved a good political debate! But no matter your political preference, religion, or race, he was a friend, father and family you could count on when times were tough. He knew firsthand what it was like to start a business with hard work and determination and if he seen that in you he never gave it a second thought to help you get started. He will truly be missed by many, “Thanks a Million” for being part of his life.
Left to celebrate Jerry’s life are his children: Jeff Horkheimer of Kentucky, Lori Marshall (Jere) of Oelwein, Laurie Schult (Scott) of Dunkerton, Jennifer McGlaughlin of Hazleton, Chip (Mindy) Horkheimer of Hazleton; his grandchildren: Cole, Jordan, Alayna, John, Paige, BJ, Kate, Jake, Devann, Alexandra, Andrea, Madison, Moxon and Kale; his nine great-grandchildren; his siblings: Joan Christie, Barbara Neises, Wayne, Dwight, Rick and Lorita Horkheimer; his significant other Sharon Davis of Monticello.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Rose (July 26, 2002); his brother Bill Horkheimer; and his granddaughter Jade.
