Gerold "Jerry" Weldon

Gerold “Jerry” Weldon, 74, passed away peacefully on March 10, 2025, at MercyOne Medical Center.

Jerry was born in Anchorage, Alaska, to Gerold and Charlotte Weldon. His father served in the Army, and his mother, originally from Germany, immigrated to the U.S. after WWII. Jerry grew up with his younger brother, Tom, and the family lived in various places, including Alaska, Utah, and France, before settling in Des Moines, Iowa.

A proud Southsider, Jerry graduated from Lincoln High School, where he met the love of his life, Sandy Linden. They married in 1971 and shared a beautiful life together. Jerry attended Iowa State University on a Navy ROTC scholarship, graduating with a degree in Architecture. He was an officer in the Navy, stationed in Alameda, CA, and served as a navigator on the USS Vega during the Vietnam War. Jerry was proud of his military service and cherished the ‘million-dollar view’ he and Sandy enjoyed in the Bay Area.

After his military service, Jerry and Sandy returned to Iowa, where they raised their three children, Jennifer, Kerry, and Josef. Jerry had a fulfilling 35-year career with the phone company, primarily in the real estate division, managing building acquisitions and layouts across five Midwestern states. His work often took him to Denver and he treasured the extra time it allowed him to spend with his brother and his family.

Jerry shared his talents and interests with friends and family. From designing and building entire homes, the furniture in them, or keepsakes to decorate them, he was a fine craftsman. He made intricate Halloween costumes for his kids when they were young and then mini-golf holes for after-prom parties when they were in High School. He also loved classic cars, especially Corvettes, and enjoyed traveling across Iowa and across the country to organize, participate in, or attend a car show or auction. Jerry was a talented guitarist with a wonderful voice. He could always be counted on to level up the traditional “Happy Birthday” by singing or whistling harmony. He was active on many boards over the years, including his church council, his fraternity (Phi Kappa Tau), and more recently the phone company retirees. Jerry loved making order out of chaos, ensuring dissenting opinions were heard, and mentoring others. He believed in and modeled respectful disagreement and collaboration.

Above all, Jerry loved his family. He was happy anywhere if he was with Sandy (and Sandy went everywhere!). While he loved to tease her (Colorado is not on the way from Texas to Iowa!), there was truly no destination too far for him to take her. Together, they introduced their kids to people and places all over the world. There were countless road trips to Colorado to visit his brother’s family, weekend camping trips with Sandy’s family, the occasional epic summer vacation to National Parks or amusement parks, and each child went to Germany to ensure the family connection with aunts, uncles, and cousins he knew and loved would continue. As grandchildren came along, there were similar trips for them, including a post-Covid cruise to Alaska which they all loved and are even more thankful for today. From Sandy on down to the youngest grandchild, he was always their biggest fan – cheering them on whatever the event or challenge and hugging them when it was done – and regardless of the result, it was the effort that made him the proudest.

Jerry will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 54 years, Sandy; his children, Jeni Weldon Van Wyk (Adam), Kerry Feuling (Matt Sarcone), and Joe Weldon (Katie); his grandchildren, Charlotte, Jerrod, Dylan, Olivia, Josh, Daniel, and Patrick; his in-laws, Shelley Weldon, Paul and Elaine Linden, John and Nancy Linden; and his nieces and nephews, John, David, Abby, Alex, Tanner, and Kristina. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother.

The family will greet friends on Monday, March 17, 2025, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home, 5400 SW 9th Street. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, March 18th at 10:30 a.m. at Capitol Hill Lutheran Church, 511 Des Moines Street. Jerry will be laid to rest with military honors on Tuesday at 2:00 pm at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter, Iowa.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Capitol Hill Lutheran Church or Breakthrough T1D in loving memory of Jerry. Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

Jerry’s legacy of love, patience, and service will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.

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