Jerry S. Gorrell , 85, died Monday, Sept. 28, 2020 at home in Le Mars, Iowa.

Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 3, 2020 at Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Le Mars. Reverend Dr. Michel Lundula will officiate. Military honors will be provided by the Wasmer American Legion Post 241 of Le Mars. Burial will be at a later date in Memorial Cemetery in Le Mars. Visitation with the family present will be from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, October 2, 2020 at Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Le Mars. Social distancing and wearing a mask are required. Visitation will resume from 10:00 a.m. until service time on Saturday at the funeral home. Arrangements are with the Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Le Mars. Expressions of sympathy can be extended to the family through www.rexwinkelfh.com .

Memorials can be made in Jerry's name for a scholarship to be established for students attending power lineman trade school.

Jerry Scott Gorrell was born Sept. 12, 1935 in Renwick, Iowa, the only child of Raymond Andrew and Charlotte Elizabeth (Clowes) Gorrell.

He graduated from Renwick High School in 1953. He attended Eagle Grove Junior College and worked briefly as a salesman for a local men's clothier in Eagle Grove.

Jerry served in the U.S. Army from 1955-1957 originally assigned to Co. A, 282 ^nd Field Artillery as a Private and later transferred to Headquarters Battery, 593 ^rd Field Artillery Battalion, 7 ^th Division as a SPC3. He was stationed in Germany.

Jerry was united in marriage to Janet Ann Koppen on July 6, 1958 at Burnside, Iowa. They made their home in Renwick until 1964 when they moved to Le Mars and Jerry began working for the Northwest Iowa Power Cooperative (NIPCO) as a Journeyman Lineman, a position he held for 33 years until his retirement December 1997.

Jerry served as a high school sports official for over 4 decades, umpiring baseball, softball, basketball and football, and serving on the "chain gang" for the Le Mars Bulldogs, Westmar Eagles, and the Sioux City Bandits Arena Football team. He was a cancer survivor and participated in charity walks associated with the American Cancer Society. Jerry (affectionately known as "Groupie Grandpa") and Jan were familiar faces at the events their children and grandchildren participated in, rarely missing a performance or game.

Jerry was a Mason, and a member of the American Legion Wasmer Post 241 in Le Mars. He participated in several RAGBRAI rides. Jerry enjoyed woodworking. He was never happier than when he was surrounded by family.

Jerry is survived by four daughters: Jamie (Bill) MacNeill of Colorado Springs, CO; Joni (Fritz) Miller of North Sioux City, SD; Julie (B.J.) Schuller of Sibley, IA and Jackie (Larry) Plantz of Le Mars. He is also survived by 8 grandchildren – Benjamin Van Ornum, Casey MacNeill, William (Kenndra) Miller, Alex (Jordan Custer) Miller, Brittany (Jeff) Hassebroek, Catherine (Colton) Nasers, Emily (Thomas Kling) Syslo, and Erica Plantz. He is also survived by 6 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his beloved wife Jan in 2018.

The family asks that if you are unable to attend services due to the pandemic or other circumstances that you pour a glass of blackberry brandy and drink it in memory of this strong, faithful, loving and compassionate man.