Obituary of Gerald T. Kaefring

Gerald "Gerry" Kaefring, 68, of lifelong resident of Cosgrove, died at his home, Friday, November 14, 2014. Funeral mass will be held 10 a.m., Tuesday, November 18th at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Cosgrove where a visitation will be held Monday from 3-7 p.m. with a vigil service at 7. Burial with military honors, provided by the Oxford American Legion, will follow mass at St. Peter's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Gerry Kaefring memorial fund. Gerald Thomas Kaefring was born April 21, 1946, in Iowa City; the son of Ivan F. and Mary M. (Driscoll) Kaefring. He graduated from Clear Creek High School and just prior to graduation joined the Iowa National Guard. While in the guard, he spent time training at Ft. Leonard Wood in Missouri. In his working years Gerry worked for over 30 years for the City of Iowa City Streets Department all the while farming on the side. Farming and hard work were in Gerry's core; he spent his entire life on the farm, most likely the reason he had such a love for being outdoors. He enjoyed his time outside camping with friends and family, golfing and hunting. Gerry's family includes his children, Thomas Kaefring and Kim Kaefring and her wife, Robin; siblings, Fred Kaefring and his wife, Arlene, Joyce Amelon and her husband, Duane, Ray Kaefring and his wife, Joy, Robert Kaefring and his wife, Becky, Kathleen Stockman and her husband, Earlis, Margaret Long and her husband, Doug, Frank Kaefring, Theresa Swenka and her husband, Hanford and Dean Kaefring and his wife, Deb. Gerry's family also includes numerous extended family members and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother, Ronald.