Jerry J. Kobs

Jerry J. Kobs, 86, of Sgt. Bluff, IA, passed away on Sunday, May 18, 2025, at MercyOne Hospital in Sioux City.

Jerry John Kobs was born on July 21, 1938, in Council Bluffs, IA, to Herman and Gladys (Mutum) Kobs. He grew up on a farm south of Walnut, IA, where he developed a strong work ethic and an appreciation for hard labor. Jerry attended Hancock School, and during his early years, he began assisting on the family farm, laying the groundwork for a lifetime of commitment to his work.

Jerry's professional journey began when he started his own bailing business at a young age, demonstrating his entrepreneurial spirit. He also served in the Iowa National Guard for several years. He later worked at Avoca Implement and in 1962, he took a significant step in his career by purchasing his own truck. This decision marked the beginning of a long and successful career in the trucking industry. He traveled the country, often hauling meat to the east coast in the beginning. He moved from Walnut to Sgt. Bluff in 1979 and expanded the company. During the company's peak years, Jerry employed 65 drivers. This eventually led to the establishment of his tractor/trailer repair shop. He loved having his son Matt work as a mechanic in his shop for several years in the 90s, involving him in the family business. Jerry continued to operate this business until 2024, and only sold it when his body just couldn't handle getting to the shop as much as he would have liked. If his health would have held out, he would have worked until the very end.

Jerry J. was man of few words. He had a tough exterior but was generous and caring beneath. He loved in his own way, and without saying it much, but he felt it deeply. He had a particular passion for writing letters to the editor and enjoyed sharing his political thoughts via social media, particularly on Facebook. If he felt wronged by a company or a politician, he was sure to let them know, even if it meant putting a huge sign on the side of a semi trailer next to a busy highway. Despite being known as a relatively quiet man, he let his opinions be known to all who could read. If he wasn't working in the truest sense of the word, he was often working in his personal shop restoring another tractor. He was an avid collector and restorer of antique farm tractors, and also had a vast gun collection that he had accumulated over the years. He was known to visibly carry both his gun and his phone, and a visit with him would often be interrupted with a work call, which he would answer with a loud, "Kobs!"

Jerry was united in marriage to Marjorie (Russmann) on April 28, 1963, in Avoca, Iowa, and together they were blessed with two children, Matt and Sarah. He met Catherine A. "Cathy" Wienhold in 1991, and they married on July 19, 2002. Cathy had two children of her own, Doug and Codi. Jerry and Cathy's years together were filled with companionship and mutual support, as he was known to be a loving husband to Cathy.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Cathy Kobs; son, Matt (Sherri) Kobs; daughter, Sarah (Charles) Kock; stepson, Doug Boettger; stepdaughter, Codi (Dan) LaVoie; grandchildren: Johnathon Kobs, Rebecca (Sam) Harmon, Emma (Levi) Culp, Megan Kock, and Jack LaVoie; and great-grandchildren: Nolan Moore, Autumn Moore, Savannah Harmon, and Baylor Harmon.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Bonnie (Raymond) Lynn.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, May 31, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel, followed by a memorial service starting at 11:00 AM.