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Gerald “Jerry” Duane Sivesind passed away Monday, August 17, 2015 in his hometown of Waukon at the age of 71.
Jerry was born February 21, 1944 to Josephine and Harold Sivesind. After serving in the Navy, he relocated to Bakersfield, CA with his wife, Mary. He spent over 30 years at the Bakersfield Californian newspaper, working his way up from the mail room to Production Manager. He helped care for countless children as a foster parent and still found time to coach baseball and soccer along the way.
Occasionally, he could be found, as he would call it, “resting his eyes.” But it wouldn’t be long until he had to be up cooking, cleaning, shopping or dragging the kids around to the seemingly never-ending list of activities.
When Mary passed away unexpectedly in 2001, Jerry retired from the Californian and returned to his beloved hometown. Back in Waukon, Jerry was lucky enough to find Sue, a woman who loved him, took care of him, and filled his last years with joy and peace and lots and lots of cookies.
Jerry is survived by his wife, Sue; his children: Angie, Chris and his wife, Shawna, Brian and his wife, Ellie, Nita, Amy, Christin, Marisa and Maria; and his grandchildren: Josh, Brooke, Brianna, Tori and Charlotte. He was preceded in death by his son, Thomas; his granddaughter, Alison; his parents; and his brothers, Don, Kenny and Bob.
Anyone who met Jerry knows the kindness and humor (and sarcasm) he brought to the world. He was always quick with a joke or story, though he couldn't help but laugh along with you as he told it. He had a way of making everyone feel like his best friend. We will miss him terribly, but we take solace in the thought that he can finally "rest his eyes" in peace.