Gerald Joseph (Jerry) Beer, 84, of Cedar Rapids died October 19, 2018. A Funeral Mass will be 10:00 AM Tuesday, October 23, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church with interment at St. John's Cemetery. Fr. Chris Podhajsky will be presiding. Prayer service beginning at 4PM with visitation to follow until 6PM Monday, October 22, at Papich-Kuba Funeral Home, 1228 2nd Street SE, Cedar Rapids.

Jerry was born September 18, 1934 in Festina, Iowa, the son of Raymond and Rose (Herold) Beer. Jerry grew up on the family farm in northeast Iowa, attending country school Glenwood No. 4 Rockswold in Winneshiek County. In 1951 he moved to Cedar Rapids and began working at Collins Radio; in the factory and also at Arthur Collins's residence. He retired in 2013 after working 60 years for Rockwell Collins. He will be remembered for his undeniably strong work ethic in everything he did.

Jerry married Patricia Ruzicka on May 7, 1955 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids. They were blessed with three children and six grandchildren, and one on the way in December. He loved his wife, children and grandchildren very much and cherished his time with them. Jerry always worked very hard for his family.

Jerry was a man of deep and constant faith. He had a special devotion to the Blessed Virgin, Our Lady of Lourdes, and the Sacred Heart. He attended Mass religiously, always carried a rosary in his pocket, and a Sacred Heart pendant in his wallet. Jerry was also committed to helping others. He volunteered many hours at St. Wenceslaus Church in its restoration after the flood of 2008. He would lend a hand to anyone and cared deeply for the needs of others.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 63 years, Patricia, daughter, Jeanne (James) Kewley, Marion, and sons Dr. Steven (Terra), Cheyenne, Wyoming and Dr. Bradley (Janette), Cedar Rapids; grandchildren, Crossland, Simon, Eliott and Anna Beer of Cheyenne, Wyoming, and Meredith and Lydia Beer of Cedar Rapids; sisters in law, June Beer, Jean Beer, and Barbara Ruzicka, brothers in law Robert (Theresa) Ruzicka, Matthew Ruzicka (Mary Henderson), Dennis (Karan) Ruzicka, brother in law Alan Smejkal (Sybil Merfeld), and many nieces and nephews.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Arleen Collins and husband Quentin, and brothers, Raymond and Robert Marvin. He was also preceded in death by his mother and father in law, Matthew and Mary Ruzicka; brother in law, Ronald Ruzicka, and sister in law, Mary Lou Smejkal.

Jerry served in the United States Army Reserve as a Lieutenant Colonel in the 1st 410th Infantry Battalion. He was the battalion commander and instructed at the Command and General Staff College. He retired from the military after 30 years of service.

He was an active member of St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Life member of the Reserve Officers Assn, American Legion, and National Rifle Assn.

Our part of the world will never be the same without our husband, father and grandfather. He will be missed greatly.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you and blessing for the amazing care and compassion given at West Ridge Care Center, and by Dr. Jason Booth and Mercy Hospice.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to St. Wenceslaus Church, Cedar Valley Humane Society, or Hospice of Mercy.