Gerald John Heithoff (Jerry), 80, of Des Moines Iowa, passed away Friday, July 4, 2025, in his home with his daughter Jennifer Heithoff by his bedside.
Jerry the son of Marvin and Esther (Schaeuble) Heithoff was born on January 30, 1945, in Carroll, Iowa. He grew up on a farm with his 7 brothers and sisters outside of Willey, Iowa. As a youngster and teenager, Jerry was quite active, playing multiple sports competitively as well as a member of the Willey Rockets 4-H Group. He excelled musically and academically, playing the flute, learning Latin, and graduating with honors from Carroll Kuemper in 1963. As a young man, Jerry graduated from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 1970 with a degree in accounting. Two years later, in 1972, he earned his CPA. In addition, he served in the Army National Guard.
On November 3, 1973, he was united in marriage to Susan Marie Keller. They lived in multiple cities before settling in Clarinda, Iowa. Throughout Jerry’s time in Clarinda, he was a pillar of the community, serving multiple public and private entities. During summers, Jerry was a fixture in the Clarinda sports community and could be seen regularly around the ball fields playing softball, coaching youth sports, and cheering the Clarinda A’s.
In his older adult years, Jerry was the cornerstone of what he loved more than anything…his grandchildren. Whether it was teaching the grandkids about farm animals to grabbing a ball glove and ball to play catch, Jerry was an idolized grandpa.
Jerry is survived by his stepson, Westley Scott Anson; daughter Jennifer Anne Heithoff; and son Steven (Adrianne) Andrew Heithoff. Jerry’s immediate extended family includes granddaughters Tandi (Seth) Marie Edwards and Raeven Cymone Anson; and grandsons Malik Xavier Moore, Tyrese Alfonza Moore, Xavier John Moore, Oliver Zander Heithoff, and Elliot Zephyr Heithoff.
His surviving siblings include David (Marcia) Heithoff of Harrison, Arkansas; Denis (Laurel Jean) Heithoff of Willey, Iowa; Mary Jane Heithoff of Omaha, Nebraska; Morrie (Pat) Heithoff of Manning, Iowa; Louise Dalrymple of Omaha; Julie Heithoff of Omaha; Jane Heithoff of Willey; and his many nieces, nephews, and other extended relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, Marvin Heithoff; mother, Esther (Schaeuble) Heithoff; brother, Allen Heithoff; brother-in-law, Mike Dalrymple; and brother, Myron Heithoff.
