Gerald "Jerry" Herman George Stolze

Gerald “Jerry” Herman George Stolze, 82 of South Sioux City, Nebraska passed away on Friday, February 24, 2023 at a local nursing facility.  Funeral Services will be at 12 Noon on Friday, March 3, 2023 at Mohr & Becker-Hunt Funeral Home in South Sioux City with Chaplain Robert *** officiating.  Burial will follow at Dakota City Cemetery.  Visitation will be on Thursday at the funeral home from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with family present at 6:00 p.m.  Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.meyerbroschapels.com

Jerry was born on September 22, 1940 in Pender, Nebraska, the son of Fredrick and Flora (Coughtry) Stolze.  He called the family farm, just outside of Emerson, Nebraska, home as a child.  Tending to animals and helping on the farm, helped to nurture his strong work Ethic.  Jerry graduated from Emerson, High School in 1957.  After high school, he married JoEllen Knoell on December 26, 1959, and they moved to South Sioux City, Nebraska, leaving the farm life behind, but not his work ethic. 

Jerry dedicated 35 years to serving on the South Sioux City Fire Department; 29 of those years, being Chief.  While on the fire department, he started MFO in 1998 for Northeast Nebraska Mutual Aid.  Jerry co-owned and operated the Crystal Café and gas station for 50 years.  Every winter, he also volunteered his time to Petes Feeders for 40+ years, an organization that provided food to families in need.  In spite of all his involvement in the community, Jerry found time to raise a family with JoEllen. 

They had five children together: Dennis (Peggy) Stolze, Gerald “Brad” Stolze, Carl (Pam) Stolze, Karla (Joe) Kvidera, and Laurinda (Bernard) Gill.  The family enjoyed many camping trips and playing marbles and card games together.  As the boys grew, they got to participate in hunting deer with Jerry; something they all very much enjoyed and continued to do even as the new generations began to join.  After JoEllen passed away on July 26, 1997, Jerry met Barbara Millard and they were married on June 10, 2000.  Since then, they have provided each other with companionship and many memories to go with it.  Jerry made for a good role model to his children demonstration a strong work ethic and a commitment to service to the community, something that his children have passed down to their children, thus letting Jerry have a lasting impact that will carry on for generations.

Jerry is survived by his wife Barbara; sibling Carol Jean Boggy; Children Dennis (Peggy) Stolze, Carl (Pam) Stolze, Gerald “Brad” Stolze, Karla (Joe) Kvidera, and Laurinda (Bernard) Gill; grandchildren Austin (Jennifer) Stolze, Brandon (Jordan) Stolze, Rex “Tyler” (Alexis) Stolze, Taylor Stolze, Andrew Stolze, Abbie (Adam) Uhl, Zachery (Katherine) Kvidera, Lindsey Kvidera, Samantha (Brandon) Hamar, Thomas (Holly) Gill, Elexia Gill, and Breanna Gill; several great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.  Jerry developed close relationships with his stepsons Brad and Brent Millard and their families and stepdaughter Bridget Trout, and her family.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, wife JoEllen, siblings Rose Marie Randall, Vera Miller, Gene Stolze, and Duane “Stubby” Stolze.

Pallbearers for the service will be Austin Stolze, Andrew Stolze, Brandon Stolze, Tyler Stolze, Zachery Kvidera, and Thomas Gill.  Honorary pallbearers will be Abbie Uhl, Samantha Hamar, Lindsey Kvidera, Taylor Stolze, Elexia Gill, and Breanna Gill.