Dr. Jerald "Jerry" DeWaard

Dr. Jerald “Jerry” DeWaard, 75, of Britt passed away Monday, May 28, 2018 at Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City Funeral services for Jerry DeWaard will be held on Friday, June 1, 2018 at 10:30 AM at Britt Christian Reformed Church – At The Crossroads Ministries, 569 Main Avenue North in Britt with Pastor Phil Boender officiating.  Burial will be at the Evergreen Cemetery in Britt. Visitation will be Thursday, May 31, 2018 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at Ewing Funeral Chapel, 178 Center Street West in Britt and will continue one hour prior to the funeral service at the church on Friday.

Jerry was born on October 19, 1942 to Clarence and Naomi (Zuehl) DeWaard in Corwith, Iowa, the oldest of six children.  He graduated from Britt High School in 1960. He received an Associate of Arts Degree from Dordt College in 1962 and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Chemistry from Calvin College in 1964.  He was a science teacher at Southwestern Christian High School in Edgerton, Minnesota, before enlisting in the United States Army in 1967.  He attended Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia.  He served in Vietnam as a First Lieutenant with the Army Corp of Engineers as a Signal Officer.  After leaving the military, Jerry returned to school and received his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Iowa State University in 1976.  He was a partner of the Britt Veterinary Clinic and practiced as a large and small animal veterinarian for over 30 years.  He was also a member of the Iowa Veterinary Rapid Response Team.

Jerry was united in marriage to Patricia (Pat) Agnew on August 10, 1973 in Pine Mountain, Georgia.  They settled in Britt in 1976 and raised four children.  Jerry was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and an active member of the community.  He loved West Hancock sports, but more importantly enjoyed watching his children play. The car was always in motion traveling to see his kids and grandkids doing the things they loved.

Jerry was a lifelong member of the Britt Christian Reformed Church, where he served in many capacities.  He was a member of the Britt Rotary Club and a Paul Harris Fellow.  He was also a member of the American Legion.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Pat; children, Eve (Kent) Lemon, Rose (Randy) Wangen, Shelly (Garrett) Crandall and Alex DeWaard; grandchildren, John, Jacob and Norah Lemon, Sophia and Sam Wangen, and Gwyneth and Ellyn Crandall; siblings Marvin (Cheri) DeWaard, Eileen (Joe) Wilson, Donna (Tom) Stroup, Carl (Kathy) DeWaard, sister-in-laws Joyce (DeWaard) Sackett and Kay Agnew, along with many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Armin DeWaard and an infant brother; and brother-in-law Mike Agnew.