Jerome Stanley “Jerry” Kaess, 74, of Minneapolis passed away on Wednesday, January 27, 2021, at his home in Bettendorf, IA due to heart failure.
McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home, Bettendorf, assisting family with local arrangements.
Jerry was born June 9, 1946 in St. Paul, MN and later moved to Little Canada, and NE Minneapolis. He was the third of five children. He graduated from De La Salle High School in 1964 and later went on to St.Thomas and Northwestern Electronics Institute to become an electronics technician. After trade school, Jerry worked for UNIVAC before starting his own business. He worked in television repair and electronics and as a mechanic and could fix anything. Jerry loved nature and identifying birds and watching the stars at night. He also loved gardening, hunting, fishing, playing his guitar, and cooking food using his own original recipes. He often volunteered at Holy Name Catholic Church in south Minneapolis, where he was a member, as well as St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Estherville, IA. He was the life of the party and could make anyone laugh!
On March 10, 1973, he married Margaret Ann “Peg” Eiselt. They made their home in South Minneapolis and Estherville, IA. Their seven children and fourteen grandchildren were his pride and joy and he spent most of his time with them.
He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Peg, their seven children and fourteen grandchildren: Mary Kaess (and Haley and Connor Best) of Byron, MN; Joseph (Jana) Kaess (and Alex and Tyler) of Andover, MN; Kathy (Dan) Pulido (and Cael and Kylie) of Atlantic, IA; Carrie (Chad) Breuer (and Lance, Nick, Levi, and Emma) of Bettendorf, IA; Dr. Michelle (Jason) Wachtl (and Ava and Addie) of Plymouth, MN; Dr. Christine (Brian) Albery (and Brady and Julian) of Bettendorf, IA; Jerome “Jay” (Fiance, Liz Rohrbauck) Kaess of Bettendorf, IA, brothers John Kaess and Bill (Naomi) Kaess, of North Minneapolis, Mike (Lori) Kaess, of Andover, MN, and lots of nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents Romen Albert and Lucy Belle Kaess and his sister Mary Lu Kaess. A private celebration of life will be held in the spring for Jerry. Memorials can be sent to Holy Name Catholic Church (South Minneapolis) or St. Patrick’s Catholic Church (Estherville, IA).
