Gerald 'Jerry' Lias, 78, of Akron, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at Floyd Senior Living in Sergeant Bluff, Iowa.

Funeral service will be at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, December 9, 2024, at Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Akron. Reverend Trish Underberg will officiate. Burial with military honors provided by the Hoschler American Legion Post 186 of Akron will be at Riverside Cemetery in Akron. Visitation with the family present will be from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 8, 2024, at Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Akron. There will be a time of Memory Sharing at 4:00 p.m. Visitation will resume from noon until service time on Monday at the funeral home. Being an avid Iowa Hawkeye and Green Bay Packer fan, Jerry would like to encourage everyone to wear their favorite sport apparel to his services. Expressions of sympathy can be extended to the family through www.rexwinkelfh.com.

Gerald Eugene Lias, the son of Harvey and Lois (Kallsen) Lias, was born on July 3, 1946, in Akron, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed at Wesley United Methodist Church in Akron. He attended school in Akron, where he participated in football and basketball. He graduated from Akron High School in 1964.

He enlisted in the United States Army on July 15, 1963. He served his country for four years. He was honorably discharged on July 15, 1967.

Jerry worked for Wilson Trailer in Sioux City as a welder for about a year and a half. He then went to work at Dirks Motor Company in Akron.

On January 21, 1967, he was united in marriage to Linda Lou Trobaugh in Akron. On June 14, 1967, a tornado hit Akron and the trailer they were living in took a direct hit, and they were both injured. Jerry spent just shy of five months in a rehabilitation unit in Iowa City. After that, he returned to Dirks Motor and did office work.

In 1972, he began working for Heyl Truck Lines in Akron. While there, he had various jobs to start with and then began brokerage work, which he continued to do for another 15 years. Jerry and Linda were blessed to have one child, Ryan, who was born on March 29, 1975. Their marriage ended in 1978.

In May of 1983, Jerry married Margaret 'Vicki' (Kerr) Von Hagel. They divorced in 1994.

Jerry married Jeanette (Sand) Christensen on February 25, 2000, in Elk Point, South Dakota. In their retirement, they spent their time playing golf, cards, dice games, and darts. They were fortunate to have spent eight winters in Branson, Missouri, where they enjoyed many shows, great food, and many wonderful friends. Jeanette passed away on September 2, 2021.

In the summer of 1974, CJ Hinrichsen and Harvey Klemme took Jerry to a golf stag night. They pushed him around on the course and as he played from his wheelchair, he became hooked and fell in love with the game. CJ and Jerry went to Ortonville, MN, and bought a used golf cart, and from that encounter he was offered the chance to play in 4 celebrity golf tournaments in Minnesota. Jerry was lucky enough to have made 2 hole-in-ones on the Akron Golf Course. He finally stopped playing the game he loved in 2023. He was a longtime member of the Akron Golf Course and served on the board. He was instrumental in starting a dart league in Akron, which continues to be very popular today. He was a member of the Skoon Skinners in Akron for many years. He also served on the Akron-Westfield School board. He was also a member of the Hoschler American Legion Post 186 of Akron. He was an avid fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Green Bay Packers.

He survived by his son, Ryan (Shannon) Lias of South Sioux City, NE; stepdaughter, Heather (Gordy) Johnson of Akron, IA; stepson, David (Lorri) Christensen of Branson, MO; stepdaughter, Kathy (Andy) Brouillette of Salix, IA; stepson, Rob (Angela) Von Hagel of Le Mars, IA; his grandchildren: Cole Lias (Hollyn), Jacob (Morgan) Brouillette, Lucas (Alexis) Brouillette, Adam Brouillette (fiancé, Corol Hernandez), Emily Brouillette, Dustin Richards, Tyler (Hannah) Morrison, Tyler (Hannah) Johnson, Ashley (Brian) Scott, Sam (Cody) Davis, Conner Von Hagel, Emily Von Hagel, and Heather Von Hagel; his great grandchildren: Victoria Johnson, Morgan Johnson, Carter Davis, Halle Brouillette, and Joelle Morrison; a brother, Denny (Julie) Lias of Arnolds Park, IA; a sister, Deb (Ray) Ramon of Mason City, IA; sister in law, Fran (Al) Johnson of Englewood, CO; brother in law, Leroy (Sharon) Sand of Cottonwood, AZ; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harv and Lois Lias; his wife, Jeanette; a brother-in-law, John Sand; and nephews, Tony Sand and Kevin Johnson.