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Jerry Powell of Blair died peacefully at his home Dec. 28, 2018.

Gerald “Jerry” Leo Powell was born March 5, 1939 in Missouri Valley, Iowa. to Walter and Frances (Tovey) Powell, the youngest of six children..He attended St. Patrick’s grade school and later Missouri Valley High School, Class of 1956, where he played any sport he could, although football was his favorite, and classmates became lifelong friends that still get together over 70 years later. He attended the University of Omaha for two years, until he enlisted in the United States Army, and proudly served his country in Korea as a radio technician.

Jerry had many jobs, starting at age ten at his brother Bill's gas station, he was a fireman and security at the missile site, planted trees for Marshall Nurseries, Insurance Investigator, school photographer and many, many more.

On June 2, 1962 he married Moya (Leary) Powell. The couple started married life in rural Harrison County near DeSoto Bend, Iowa. Next, the couple moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa with their first baby. It was there that he went to work for Coca Cola Foods Division / Butternut Coffee-Maryland Club Foods as a route driver and she stayed busy with four more babies. Jerry was promoted to sales and they moved to Cottage Grove, Minn., this is where his lifelong Minnesota Vikings love came from, next Des Moines. where the family lived at Lakewood, Iowa. This move took the family “home” to the Omaha area, settling in Blair at Lakeland Estates. This promotion had made him regional manager, with 32 states under his command, and an office at 10th street in Omaha, where the big Butternut coffee can was its landmark. He loved his job and the people he worked with, and for 28 years, gave his heart and soul to the company.

They both retired at the age of 52 and moved countless times, living in Nebraska, Iowa, Arkansas, Minnesota, and Arizona, eventually coming full circle and moving back to Lakeland.

He was a devoted husband and father, and even though he travelled sometimes four days a week, made quality time, when he was home, a priority. He taught his kids how to love; family and friends; the outdoors, through camping, fishing and boating, and love of games, such as how to throw a perfect spiral with a football, a good poker hand should never be revealed by the bearers face, and pool can be played by as many kids as he said so.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 56 years, Moya of Blair; children; Tracy (Carroll) Thompson of Blair, Kevin (Danielle) Powell of Omaha, Kelly Powell of Blair, Karna (Steve) Hutton of James Island, S.C., and Shawn (Theresa) Powell of Blair, grandchildren; Nick (Sarah) Brown, Justin Husk, Natasja Powell, Steven Powell (Taby Cramer), Chris Powell, Zachary Powell, Jake Thompson, Max Hutton, Siobhan Thompson, Alex Hutton, Bailey Powell, step-grandchildren; Justin and Danni Thompson, Ainsley and Hunter and Matt Thompson, great-grandchildren; Rachel, Adison, Chevelle and Sorren, honorary sister, Mary Alice (Powell) McKain- Coyle, many, many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, siblings; Regina (Bev) Green, Bill (Betty) Powell, Joe (Marilyn) Powell, Rose (Everett) Harmon, Betty Jean (Zip) Zipfel, along with honorary brothers in law Jack McKain and Dick Coyle.

A vigil service was held on December 28, 2018. A Mass will be held on Jan. 19, 2019 at 1 p.m. at St. John the Baptist, 215 North 13th Street, Ft. Calhoun. Burial at St. Bridget’s Cemetery, Magnolia, Iowa at a later date.

#2-Published in the Omaha World Herald January 6, 2019

Powell, Gerald L. Mar 5, 1939 - Dec 28, 2018 Survived by wife Moya of Blair; daughters, Tracy (Carroll) Thompson of Blair, and Karna (Steve) Hutton of James Island, SC; sons, Kevin (Danielle) Powell of Omaha, Kelly Powell, and Shawn (Theresa) Powell of Blair; 14 grandchildren; and 5 great-grandchildren. MEMORIAL SERVICE: 1pm Saturday, January 19, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Ft. Calhoun, NE. Campbell Aman Funeral Home 444 s. 17th Street, Blair, NE 68008

#3 Funeral leaflet

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In Loving Memory of Gerald Leo Powell

Born March 5, 1939 Missouri Valley, Iowa ~ Entered Into Rest December 28, 2018 Blair, Nebraska

Visitation 6-8pm Sunday December 30, 2018 Campbell Aman Funeral Home Blair, Nebraska. Vigil 7 pm Sunday December 30, 2018 Campbell Aman Funeral Home Blair, Nebraska. Celebrant: Father James Netusil

Campbell Aman Funeral Home

~~~obituary and funeral leaflet courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings and leaflets in the Public Library, Blair, Nebraska ~~~

FindaGrave # 195909041