Gerald (Jerry) August Suther, 88, of Panora passed away Saturday, May 10, 2025, at the Featherstone at Hickory Hill Senior Living in Iowa City, Iowa, in the presence of family.
Jerry was born Oct. 29, 1936, the son of Fred and Freda (Tegeler) Suther on a farm north of Frankfort, Kansas.
He attended school at Reserville and later at the St. Columbkille Catholic School in Blaine, Kansas.
After graduating high school in 1954, Jerry farmed with his dad prior to joining the U.S. Army Reserves in 1956.
He first learned to program computers at Automation Inc. Tech School in Omaha, helping to launch a long career at Sperry Univac (later called Unisys) from 1962 to 1991, working as a programmer, systems analyst and district manager across many cities in Nebraska and Iowa.
After retiring from Unisys, Jerry worked as a recruiter for a data processing company and drove a limo for Brokers International to keep busy in his retirement years.
Jerry married the love of his life, Doretha (Dee) Dekat, on Sept. 5, 1959 at the St. Joseph Church in Flush, Kansas.
Inspired by his dad’s singing at home after Mass (and the many other musical members of his family), Jerry enjoyed cantering at the St. Patrick Catholic Church in Perry and later at St. Cecelia in Panora.
One of Jerry’s great joys was composing a song, “Our Heritage,” about his family, with his sister, Mary, and her son, Damian Gerstner. He had it copyrighted in 1996.
Jerry’s Catholic faith was always very important to him. He was very dedicated to the Knights of Columbus, as a member in Blaine, Perry and Panora. He joined the Fourth Degree Assembly in Des Moines and was active in the honor guard. He held many leadership roles, including Deputy Grand Knight, Grand Knight and District Deputy.
Besides music and faith, Jerry loved golfing, boating, fishing, hunting and computer puzzles.
He loved spending time with family, especially grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Jerry is survived by eight children and their spouses, Tim (Peg) Suther of Winnetka, Illinois, Laurie (Mike) Masters of Waverly, Iowa, Deanne (Curt) Reiter of Ankeny, Pat (Cindy) Suther of Waukee, Jerry (Jodi) Suther of Tiffin, Iowa, Sheri (Patrick) Thesing of St. Charles, Minnesota, Mike (Kim) Suther of Marion, Iowa, and Dave (Susan) Suther of Johnston; 26 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; his brother, Joe Suther of Williamsburg, Kansas; sisters, Vera Strunk of Wamego, Kansas, Sr. Betty Suther of Concordia, Kansas, and Sr. Eleanor of Atkinson, Kansas; and brother-in-law, Alvin Gerstner of Topeka, Kansas.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Doretha; his parents, Fred and Freda Suther; his brother, Ralph Suther; his sister, Mary Gerstner; his grandchildren, Mark and Marie Grebin; and his son-in-law, Jim Grebin.
A Rosary service will be held Friday, May 16 at 9:30 a.m., with visitation starting at 10 a.m. and funeral services at 11 a.m. at the St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Panora. Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery in rural Guthrie Center, Iowa, following the services.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Moments Hospice Foundation and St. Cecilia Catholic Church.
