Gerald LeRoy

Tripp

Gerald “Jerry” Tripp, 87, of Garner, passed away on November 12, 2026, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota after a short battle with cancer.

Jerry, the son of Les and Carol (Hanson) Tripp, was born on September 27, 1939, in Belmond, Iowa. He was the oldest of three children and grew up in the Kanawha and Belmond areas, with some of his childhood also spent in Minnesota.

While in high school, Jerry met Marjorie Zeigler, who would become his wife and lifelong companion. The couple was united in marriage on November 25, 1957. They made their home in several North Iowa communities before settling in Garner, where they raised their three children, Cindy, Steve, and Tim. Over the years, their family continued to grow, blessing Jerry and Marj with seven grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, 10 great-great-grandchildren, and another on the way.

Jerry worked for the Iowa Department of Transportation as a mechanic in Garner for 32 years before retiring. Retirement brought him a new job, one he was happy to take on—chauffeuring his great-grandchildren around town and making sure they got wherever they needed to go. Jerry was never one to sit still for too long and was always happiest when he had something to do or someone to help. He enjoyed spending time working in his shop, mowing lawns, blowing snow, and keeping busy.

Jerry will be dearly missed by his wife of 68 years, Marj Tripp; his children, Cindy Bauer, Steve (Cheryl) Tripp, and Tim (Cindy) Tripp; his grandchildren and their families, Misty Shropshire, Lisa (Jeremy) Skellenger, Nichole O’Toole, Brad Rauk, Brooke (Brad) Oja, Jamie (Dominic) Leon, and Kristi Pettis; his sisters, Shirley Hanson and Barb Nolte; sister-in-law, Betty Davis; brothers-in-law, Gary (Nancy) Johnson and Marvin (Maryls) Johnson; numerous nieces and nephews; and his faithful dog, Jadie.

He his preceded in death by his parents; two sisters in infancy, brothers and sisters-in-law Robert and Linda Zeigler, Dwight Davis, Donald Hanson, Sam Davis, Larry Nolte and Carolyn Johnson.

A family gathering will take place at a later date.