Jerry W. Mez
August 30, 1940 - September 29, 2021

Jerry W. Mez

Send Flowers Send Flowers
I served in the armed forces.
Jerry Warner Mez, son of Max and Wilma (Warner) Mez, was born on August 30, 1940 in Falls City, Nebraska. He attended school in Avoca and graduated with the class of 1958. After graduation he attended Midland College in Fremont, Nebraska, where he met Joyce Schmid. He graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Business. Jerry and Joyce were married on August 4, 1963, in Lodgepole, Nebraska. To this union they had three children: Jay, Joel and Joy.

Jerry left from his honeymoon and entered into the United States Army, where he was stationed in Korea during the Vietnam War. After he was honorably discharged he returned to Avoca to work for his father at Avoca Implement, eventually taking the business over for his father. Jerry retired from running Avoca Implement in 2008 and began working on his dream-Farmall-Land USA museum, an incredible collection of all things Farmall.

Jerry was involved in many organizations throughout his life including: School Board, Rotary, Nebraska and Iowa Farm Implement Dealers Association, Antique Collectors Clubs, was a Pee Wee Baseball Coach and Cub Scout leader and other activities that involved his children. Jerry and Joyce were avid travelers. They traveled the world and also and loved spending time in Lincoln, Nebraska, Fremont, Nebraska and Las Vegas, Nevada. Above all, Jerry was a supportive husband and father and was given the status of "Grandpa" by the grandchildren whom he loved and adored unconditionally.

On Wednesday, September 29, 2021, Jerry passed away with family by his side at Hansen House in Council Bluffs having attained the age of eighty-one years and thirty days. He was preceded in death by his parents Max and Wilma; brother Ronald; step mother Lottie; and step-brother Willis Rock.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of fifty-eight years Joyce Mez of Avoca, Iowa; children Jay Mez of Council Bluffs, Iowa; Joel (Kim) Mez of Las Vegas, Nevada; Joy (Jon) Ludvigsen of Fremont, Nebraska; Seven Grandchildren: Joseph and Christine Mez; Rachel, Megan and Gavin Mez; Hope and Holly Ludvigsen; sister Janet Johnson of Seattle, Washington; nephew Derek Johnson (Cary Chavis) of Washington, DC; step-sisters Lavonne Gerlt of Omaha, Nebraska; Sally Millsapps of Colorado; step-sister-in-law Dora Rock of Avoca, Iowa; other family, nieces and nephews and many, many friends.

The Family of Jerry Mez is requesting that face masks be worn to enter at both the visitation and funeral service. Thank you!

Visitation, Friday, October 8, 2021 at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Avoca, Iowa from 2:00 PM - 8:00 PM. The funeral will be Saturday, 10:30am at Trinity Lutheran Church in Avoca, burial with Military Honors at Graceland Cemetery in Avoca will follow.

Online guestbook at www.Ludvigsenmortuary.com

    Print Obituary

Condolences(3)

  1. Ione Popken
    We had the privilege of meeting your dad in about 2010 when Linda & Kurt took us to see the museum enroute to visit their daughter in DesMoines.
    What wonderful conversation and Stan loved seeing everything Farmall!
    Our sympathy, and prayer for God's peace and comfort to abide with you
    at this sad time.
    Stan & Ione Popken
  2. Mary Wakeman
    Words, however kind, can’t mend your heartache, but those who care and share your loss wish you comfort and peace of mind.

    May you find strength in the love of family and in the warm embrace of friends.

    May the comfort of God help you through this difficult time.

    The Wakeman Family

  3. Jeanette & Myron Groppe
    Our sympathy to you, Jon and your family, at the loss of your father-in-law. It does sound like he was a happy, dedicated husband, father and grandfather. I know you will all miss him very much. Our prayers and thoughts are with you.
    Myron & Jeanette
Send Flowers

It's never too late to send flowers.