Gerald Lee Summers

Gerald Lee Summers was born to Bernard and Mae Summers on July 15, 1939, in Harlan, Iowa, Jerry graduated from Harlan High School and went on to marry Jane Christiansen, his devoted wife of 64 years before enlisting in the Navy. While serving in the military, the couple welcomed their son Christopher and daughter Cynthia and following discharge, daughter Catherine. Jerry and his family settled in their hometown of Harlan where he was a volunteer fireman for years and worked with his older brother Charles at Summers Body Shop, later buying and operating the business with his wife, Jane. The two spent most of their retired years living in Overgaard, Arizona but returned to Iowa in recent years to end their journey where it began.

Jerry is preceded in death by his parents, Bernard and Mae Summers, brother, Charles, and son Christopher. He is survived by his wife Jane Summers of Elk Horn, IA; daughters, Cynthia (Henry) Teller of Dolores, CO; Catherine (Les) Sidman of Harlan, IA; daughter-in-law, Penney Summers of Council Bluffs IA; grandchildren, Jadyn Summers and Maxwell Sidman; sisters, Helen “Cookie” Doonan, Mary Ann Kaven; brother, James Summers and many beloved in-laws, nieces and nephews.

Jerry was a devoted family man, avid reader and lover of the outdoors; canoeing, fishing, cutting firewood and being in nature. He woke every day of retirement while living in the forests of Northern Arizona exclaiming, “Another day in paradise.”

A private celebration of life will be held according to Jerry’s wishes. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be directed to the family at PO Box 2, Elk Horn Iowa 50531 where they will be split among several charities in Jerry’s memory.