Memorial
Jerome (Jerry) Haeg, 93, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa passed away Sunday, February 9, 2025, at the Iowa Veteran’s Home in Marshalltown, Iowa. Jerry was born at home following a blizzard at Granite Ledge township, Minnesota on February 27, 1931, to Ted and Letta (Judd) Haeg. He grew up with his four brothers and one sister on a farm outside Mora, Minnesota. Jerry served in the Marines as a radio operator during the Korean Conflict. Following his time in the service, he attended the University of Minnesota, St. Paul where he graduated with a degree in Agronomy and Animal Husbandry. He was a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity and the Newman Club where he met his wife, Rose. They were married on September 19, 1959, in Iona, Minnesota.
Jerry started his career as a foreman on a cattle ranch in Crookston, Minnesota. Jerry and Rose started their family there with the birth of their daughter, Lori in September 1961 and their second daughter, Lynn in October 1963. A few more job moves sent them to Blooming Prairie, Minnesota where they welcomed their third daughter, Debra in May 1967. The family moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa in August 1969.
Jerry settled into work as a seed salesman for a few years but just didn’t like being in the office. He soon went back to being a cement mason – a trade he had learned during his early years working with his father and uncle in northern Minnesota. He was a member of the cement mason’s union for over 50 years. He enjoyed working with his hands and working outside. During the winter, he drove charter bus for many years and many of his daughter’s school trips.
Jerry gave of himself on a daily basis. He was an active member and volunteer at St. Jude’s Catholic Church. He was in the Knights of Columbus Council 5544 where he was a member of the 4th Degree, served as Grand Knight and was in the Degree Staff for many years. Jerry continued his Knights of Columbus volunteering for many years assisting with their Friday night Steak and Fish Frys. He was the fire chief of the Cedar Terrace Volunteer Fire Department and in his later years, volunteered for the Cedar Rapids chapter of Disabled American Veterans.
Jerry was always available to help anyone who asked. He was very proud of his family and loved spending time with his daughters, and later sons-in-law and grandchildren. He supported them in whatever activities they were involved in and loved working with them on some kind of project or another. He was well known for “Jerry”-rigging things to fix them. Always figuring out a way to make things work. He didn’t slow down when he retired. He loved wood working - specializing in wood Christmas and lawn ornaments. He also loved to garden. If he started to tire, he was always a great supervisor over every project that needed to be done.
Jerry will be remembered as a kind man with a huge heart and a smile and story for anyone who was near. Jerry is survived by his daughters, Lori (Jeff) Grummert of Deshler, Nebraska, Lynn (Kelly) Hancock of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Debra Neff of Altoona, Iowa, his grandchildren, Jeffrey Caleb Grummert of Kearney, Nebraska, Cody Hancock of Sydney, Australia, and Hannah Neff of Altoona, Iowa. Also, by his sister, Monica (Dick) Weinmann of Blaine, Minnesota. He will be missed by his remaining sister and brothers-in-law and many nieces and nephews.
Jerry is proceeded in death by his parents, his loving wife of 58 years, Rose, brother Howie and sister-in-law Betty Haeg, brother Ed and sister-in-law Jane Haeg, brothers Dick Haeg, John Haeg, and his son-in-law Scott Neff.
Visitation will be held at Cedar Memorial Westside Chapel on Wednesday, April 30 from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm with a Vigil at 3:30 pm. Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, May 1 at 10:00 am at St. Jude’s Catholic Church and inurnment will be held on Friday, May 2 at 2:00 pm at the Iowa Veteran’s Cemetery in Van Meter, Iowa.