Gerald F. Schreck, 92 of Carroll, died Sunday, December 5, 2021, at St. Anthony Regional Hospital in Carroll surrounded by his adoring family.
A link to the livestream of Gerald’s Funeral Mass will be available on this page at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday.
Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Thursday, December 9, 2021, at St. John Paul II Parish – Holy Spirit Church in Carroll. The Celebrant will be Fr. Kevin Richter. Concelebrant will be Fr. Timothy Johnson. Mass Servers will be Max Schreck, Charlie Schreck, and Abrey Pudenz. Music will be by Kathy Halbur and Kathleen Macke. Lectors for the Funeral Mass will be Nicole Kasperbauer, Aly Schreck, and Jamie Pudenz. Gift Bearers will be Melissa Rutten Bradford, and Cortney Kirby-Smith. Honorary Casket Bearers will be Gerald’s Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren. Casket Bearers will be Ryan Schreck, Chad Schreck, Casey Pudenz, Lee Schon, Tyler Kasperbauer, Jacob Schreck, Adam Schreck, Von Kraus, Franz Reisz, and Blake Schreck. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Carroll with military honors conducted by the Carroll American Legion.
Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Wednesday at Holy Spirit Church. Additional visitation without greeting the family will be held from 9-9:30 a.m. on Thursday at the church. In lieu of flowers memorials may be left at the church for Kuemper Catholic Schools Foundation.
Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll and online condolences for the Schreck family may be left at www.sharpfuneral.com.
A son of William and Rose (Thein) Schreck, Gerald was born on August 1, 1929, near Dedham, Iowa. He attended St. Joseph School and later Carroll Public School. Gerald farmed with his father until he was drafted into the United States Army in September of 1951. He served in the 7 th Army division in Korea, earning the Combat Infantry Badge, Korean Service Medal with three Bronze Campaign Stars and was honorable discharged with the rank of Corporal in May of 1953.
On December 29, 1953, Gerald was united in marriage to the love of his life, Madonna Vonnahme, at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church with Rev. P.M. Sturm officiating. The Schreck’s farmed in the Vail area until 1964 when they moved to the cherished family farm south of Carroll, retiring in 2003. Mr. Schreck was a former member of Holy Angels Church in Roselle and currently Holy Spirit Church in Carroll. Gerald served on the Halbur-TempletonRoselle Elementary School Board, Carroll City Extension Board and Director of the (former) Glidden R.E.C. Board. He was a member of the Carroll American Legion and lifelong member of the Iowa Farm Bureau.
Partial to John Deere, Gerald had a love of farming, raising livestock, repairing his machinery, tractor rides, tractor pulls, and plowing meets. He enjoyed having company over at home, helping wherever help was needed, watching the news and game shows, playing cards, and reading. Despite some health issues, Gerald was able to participate in the Military Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. in May of 2015 where he reconnected with other comrades, remembered lost friends and visited memorials dedicated to honor the service and sacrifices of fellow Veterans.
More than anything, Gerald reveled in his role as a father, grandfather and great-grandfather. His quick wit, barrelchested laughs, positivity and unending devotion to his family will be missed but never forgotten.
Gerald is survived by his loving wife Madonna of Carroll; his 12 children: Randy Schreck (fiancé Julianne Bengford) of Carroll, Mark (Mary) Schreck of Willey, Gerrine (Kevin) Kirby of Lincoln, NE, Joan (Denny) Rutten of Carroll, Michelle (Dean) Pudenz of Carroll, Melanie (Jeff) Schon of Glidden, Maribeth Kasperbauer of Glidden, Keith (Lori) Schreck of Willey, Kevin (Amy) Schreck of Roselle, Jill (Dr. Steve) Kraus of Carroll, Julie (Greg) Reisz of Woodbine, and Brian (Mandy) Schreck of Carroll; 43 grandchildren; 2 step-grandchildren; 52 greatgrandchildren with one on the way; his siblings: Jim (Ione) Schreck, Paul (Lois) Schreck, Bill Schreck, Connie (John) Bruner, Betty (Mark) Schweery, and Elaine Nieland; his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Lois Schreck, Don LeRiger, Lois Vonnahme, Kathryn (Jerry) Gross, and Dennis (Marilyn) Vonnahme; as well as many nieces, nephews, and other extended relatives.
Gerald was preceded in death by his parents, William and Rose Schreck; his infant daughter, Mary Elizabeth Schreck; his sons-in-law, John Berning and Scott Kasperbauer; his parent’s in-law, Frank and Pauline (Bruening) Vonnahme; his siblings: Mary Rose Nagl, JoAnn LeRiger, and Robert Schreck; his sister-in-law, Ione Hensel, Mary Clare Schreck; his brother-in-law, Ralph Vonnahme and Bob Nagl.
To honor Gerald’s life, the family humbly asks the community to quietly extend an act of kindness to a friend or stranger. Good deeds come in all shapes and sizes; please consider spreading extra love and joy in Gerald’s memory.
