Jerome “Jerry” P. Iekel

Jerome “Jerry” P. Iekel, 87, of Sheridan, Wyoming went to be with the Lord on November 9, 2024, at Westview Health Center with his wife at his side after suffering the slow decline of Alzheimer’s.  A few years ago, Jerry started to write his own obituary.  He began, “A lover of pies, Mr. Iekel would have eaten many more cakes, had his wife been disposed to make them.”

Jerry was born March 16, 1937, in Milwaukee, the second son of William J. Iekel and Helen (Corrigan) Iekel, born a year after his brother, Chris.   As a child, he lived in Milwaukee and Detroit. When he was ten, they moved to a small farm near Springville, NY.  The move opened up a new world for Jerry–exploring the hilly, wooded country, hunting, trapping, and caring for chickens and a couple of pigs.  The family went through the grief of losing 9-year-old Bob, who died of polio when Jerry was 11.  Although his father did not farm, but worked as an engineer in Buffalo, as the boys grew older, they helped to neighbor dairy farmers haying, milking, and other farm chores.  From age 14 he attended Catholic boys’ boarding schools through high school and early college, receiving his bachelor’s degree from Catholic University in philosophy.

The Army was pivotal in two areas of his life: vocation and location.   He enlisted in order to choose his military occupation.  But the process was discouraging as he went through the book of military occupations.  Finally, on the last page, neuropsychiatric technician was listed.  The subject fascinated him, and he finished first in his class.  This led to a career in mental health.  He had expected to go to Valley Forge Army Hospital, so it was disappointing to be assigned to Fitzsimmons Army Hospital in Denver.  His opinion changed when he stepped off the train and first saw the beautiful Rocky Mountains on a clear fall day.  He also noticed the cute girls, looking tanned and healthy!  Another bonus was the skiing–he loved to ski and took every opportunity to do so.

After discharge from the army, he began a social work career, working as a caseworker in the Denver Welfare Department.  He and his first wife moved to Boston so he could attend Boston College, where he received a Master of Social Work degree in 1971.  After a job search in Colorado and then Wyoming, he was hired by the 5 county Northern Wyoming Mental Health Center to serve as the sole clinician in Newcastle.  In 1978, he was hired as Executive Director of the mental health center and moved to Sheridan.  He was well respected in that position and developed good friendships with the other directors in the community mental health centers throughout the state.   A desire to work again directly with people led to his decision to retire from the executive director position and go into private practice in 1987.  He focused on working with troubled marriages and doing training for dementia care.

Throughout his career, Jerry was always active in professional and civic organizations, often in leadership positions. This included service on the Genesis Foundation board, Salvation Army advisory board, the first board of the Wyoming Alzheimer’s Association, Sheridan chapter of CASA (Compass), Greenhouse Living Task Force, and Kiwanis. Later on, he served on the board of Wyoming Senior Citizens, Inc which meets quarterly in Riverton. 

Jerry fulfilled a goal when he filed in the Republican primary and, with the help of good friends, was elected in 2000 to the Wyoming House of Representatives where he served for eight years representing House District 29 in Sheridan. There was a steep learning curve and the sessions were grueling, but he very much enjoyed his time in the Legislature with great camaraderie and meeting people from all over the state.   In 2010 he was elected to the board of trustees for Northern Wyoming Community College and loved being a part of our local college.  He served there through 2018.

Jerry came to understand the saving work of Christ in his life and experienced the joy and peace of knowing Christ and His forgiveness.  He was a member of First Baptist Church of Sheridan, where he also served as an elder of the church.

Jerry and Penny (Penson) married in 1983.  Over the years, their most cherished times were with friends and family both near and far. They both enjoyed traveling to a variety of places, but destinations with snorkeling ranked high.  They were able to spend time with missionary friends on Java, Indonesia, and in 1988 lived for 3 months with other missionary friends on the island of Mindanao in the southern Philippines.  Jerry enjoyed fishing, hunting, cross country skiing, and biking.  Each summer for many years they backpacked to different areas in Wyoming and Montana, always a highlight of the summer.  Jerry also enjoyed working and being at Penny’s family ranch in Montana, where his carpentry skills were often in demand.

The Java Moon was Jerry’s special place for many years until later this summer. The staff were always so welcoming and able to figure out what he wanted (usually a cinnamon crescent roll!). Their kindness is much appreciated.   

Jerry’s laughter and love will be missed by so many friends and relatives, but especially by his wife, Penny; adoptive sons from Jerry’s first marriage, Clyde (California) and George (Ginger) (Colorado); grandson CJ; brother Frederick “Rick” (Jackie) of Rochester, NY; sister-in-law Carol Iekel; nephews John, Paul, and Don Iekel; nieces Sue Iekel and Linda Murray; plus great nephews and nieces and honorary nephews and nieces.  

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers Robert and Christopher.

Funeral Services for Jerry are at 3:00 P.M., Saturday, November 16, 2024, at the First Baptist Church, 3179 Big Horn Ave, Sheridan, WY, with Military Honors.  A reception will be held at The Hub following the service, 211 Smith St., Sheridan.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Baptist Church of Sheridan or the Sheridan College Foundation.  Online condolences may be made to www.sheridanfuneral.com. Arrangements are under the care of Sheridan Funeral Home.