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Gerald "Jerry" Keith Jans
1954 - 2025
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- Gerald "Jerry" Keith Jans
March 6, 1954 — July 16, 2025
Hawarden, Iowa
Gerald “Jerry” Jans, age 71 of Hawarden, IA, passed away peacefully on
July 16, 2025, at Ava’s House in Sioux Falls, SD. Jerry was born March 6,
1954, in Sibley, IA, to Kenneth and Darlene Jans. He went to high school
in Little Rock, IA, and graduated in 1972.
Following high school, Jerry went to Westmar College in Le Mars, IA, where
he played basketball and baseball for the Eagles. In 1976 he earned his
B.A. in Social Secondary Divisional in Secondary Education. It was at
college where he met a lovely young woman, Donna Houtsma, while out with
his friend and the two of them married after graduating. Jerry and Donna
recently celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary.
Jerry and Donna had two children, Cody and Caitlin. Jerry spent endless
hours playing basketball in their driveway with Cody, shooting at their
hoop Jerry swore was set to the regulation ten feet high even though the
rim sat closer to eleven feet from the ground. He still greatly helped
Cody with his gameplay skills and enjoyed watching his son compete.
Jerry attended Caitlin’s choir performances and clapped as loudly as he
could mostly when appropriate. He never was afraid to be loud, even if it
meant unleashing an untimely cough during a recital. While he was not a
singer himself, he was proud to listen to his daughter sing.
Jerry spent most of his career teaching. He taught at school districts in
Melvin, IA (1978-1979), Klemme, IA (1979-1983), Adair, IA (1983-1985), and
Hawarden (1985-2002).
Jerry treasured coaching basketball and baseball at both the high school
and junior high level. In addition to basketball and baseball he coached
football, track and field, and golf.
Jerry cherished his grandchildren, Rowan and Ryker. He would do whatever
he could to spend time with them. Each autumn he raked enormous leaf piles
and delighted in hearing them laugh and giggle while they leaped into
them.
The Boston Celtics were Jerry’s one true team. When the Celtics won their
18th NBA championship in 2024 he was thrilled they moved one championship
ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth and Darlene Jans, and
brother, Kevin Jans.
He is survived by his wife, Donna Jans (Houtsma); son, Cody Jans and his
wife Neena Hayreh; daughter, Caitlin Jans; and grandchildren, Rowan
Hoogland and Ryker Hoogland.
A celebration of life gathering will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday,
August 9, 2025, at Oak Grove Lodge at Oak Grove Park. The family will
receive family and friends until 4:00 p.m.
Flowers will be accepted and should be sent to Porter Funeral Home in
Hawarden, IA. Condolences may be sent to www.porterfuneralhomes.com.
Memorial contributions should be sent to The Association for
Frontotemporal Degeneration through their website, www.theaftd.org.
Celebration of Life: Saturday, August 9, 2025, 2:00 - 4:00 pm (Central
time), Oak Grove Park, 4051 Cherry Avenue, Hawarden, IA 51023
source: © Porter Family Funeral Home, 712 10th Street
(P.O. Box 128), Hawarden, IA 51023; Phone 712-551-2712
[porterfuneralhome@outlook.com ]
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