Jerry W. Duerr

Jerry W. Duerr, born on March 15, 1962, to Donald Duerr and Nita Heid, passed away Thursday, October 17, leaving behind a legacy of kindness. Jerry spent his early years on the family farm between Scales Mound and Elizabeth, IL. He embraced farm life, taking pride in helping with chores and working the land with his family.

Jerry attended school in Hanover and later in Elizabeth, graduating with the Class of 1982. While in school, he found joy in helping the school janitor with tasks rather than sitting in class, reflecting his natural inclination to work with his hands and be of service to others.

After graduating, Jerry moved to Galena, IL, where he found meaningful work at the Joe Daviess County Workshop, assisting with laundry and any task asked of him. He also held a position at the Dubuque Post Office. Jerry loved to stay busy, and his love for cleaning and hard work was evident in everything he did. In his spare time, Jerry was an avid music lover. He had an impressive knowledge of country and 80s music, able to name any song, its artist, and the year it was released.

Jerry also had a passion for collecting. His favorite items included toy tractors, koozies, keychains, and hats, with a particular love for Farmall tractors. He enjoyed listening to his boombox, often recording his own voice singing or talking and playing it back on his tape player. He also loved a good bonfire.
Jerry’s family will forever remember his sweet and gentle nature, his love for life’s simple pleasures, and his ability to teach them to appreciate the little things. He didn’t have a mean bone in his body, and his presence will be deeply missed.

Jerry will be dearly missed by his mother, Nita Duerr of Elizabeth; two brothers, John (Laura) Duerr of Scales Mound, and Joe (Lisa) Duerr of Hazelhurst, WI; his sister Debbie Larson of Fenton, MO; and many nieces and nephews. Jerry was preceded in death by his father, Donald Duerr, his grandparents Bill and Alma Heid, and John and Shirley Duerr, and his nephew, Jordan Duerr.

A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, October 22, at the Law Jones Funeral Home in Elizabeth. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will take place in Scales Mound Township Cemetery.