Gerald (Jerry) Paul Clymer

Gerald (Jerry) Paul Clymer died on his 75th birthday on August 25th, 2024 in his home in Monona, Iowa. Jerry was surrounded in love by his wife Ardy Olds, daughter Julia Baker, and son-in-law Justin Baker at the time of his passing.

Jerry was an intellectual man who loved vocabulary and was an avid reader. As he would truthfully say, he knew “a little about a lot of things.” Jerry was funny and witty and remained humorous even through his health struggles. His humor, gratitude, and thoughtful nature were demonstrated in the sincere interest he expressed in getting to know others. A testament to this was how the wonderful medical staff at Mayo Hospital in La Crosse, Wisconsin would say they wanted to spend time in his room and enjoyed getting to know him while he was there.

Jerry was proud to have lived a life full of many travels. He loved the outdoors, especially hiking and camping in the desert. He and Ardy enjoyed exploring the wonders of nature together across the United States and Mexico throughout their 40 years of marriage. They deeply enjoyed fine dining and having long conversations over a good meal and a bottle of wine. Jerry was also an excellent cook and is fondly remembered for the delicious food he prepared for his friends and family.

Jerry was an extremely talented artist. His favorite hobby was woodworking, and he was prolific in his creation of beautifully intricate and unique wooden boxes, chests, urns, and furniture. He proudly sold his woodworking pieces at the Left Bank Shop and Gallery in McGregor, Iowa. Jerry believed everyone should be able to have access to and enjoy art. He was humbled and deeply gratified by the high demand for his work at the art gallery.

Jerry was a devoted husband and father and is profoundly missed by those who survive him. Although he enjoyed solitude, Jerry was a great conversationalist and is remembered for all the fun times he shared with his friends and family. Jerry liked saying “leave ‘em with a memory,” and he certainly left all those who knew and loved him with many cherished memories.

Jerry was born in Stillwater, Minnesota on August 25, 1949 and was raised in Afton, Minnesota. He attended Stillwater High School where he was the captain of the swim team. He moved to San Diego, California in his 20s where he married Ardy, and there they had their daughter, Julia. In San Diego, Jerry built a successful career as a mechanical design engineer. In 2001 Jerry, Ardy, and Julia moved to a small acreage near Waukon, Iowa where they appreciated the beauty of nature and spent time caring for their land. After 14 years in the country, Jerry and Ardy moved to Monona, Iowa where he continued to expand on his woodworking.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents Raymond and Luella (Peloquin) Clymer, father-in-law Richard Olds, brothers Laurence “Buddy” Clymer and Russ (Phyllis) Clymer, sisters Maryland “Sis” (Al) Apel and Jeanne (Bill) Boumeester, and brothers-in-law Steve Goltz and Kenny Clark.

He is survived by his wife Ardy Olds, daughter Julia (Justin) Baker, sister Barb Clark, brothers Mike (Cyndia) Clymer and Dave (Becky) Clymer, mother-in-law Dolores Olds, brothers-in-law Rick (Vickie) Olds, Tom Olds, and Dave (Barb) Olds, sisters-in-law Janet (Les) Kephart and Jane Goltz, and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

A celebration of life for Jerry will be held at a later date.

Click here to visit the Leonard-Grau Funeral Home website.