Gerald Thor Zager was born July 21, 1935 in Carroll, Iowa the son of Stanly Merle Zager and Mary Ellen (Ryan) Zager.
He was raised in Washington, Iowa and graduated from Washington High with the Class of 1954. He then attended the University of Iowa for two years before transferring to Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Chicago. Following his graduation from Worsham, Jerry worked for Estel-Perrin Funeral Home in Marshalltown. Two years later he moved to Seattle, Washington and took a job with Butterworth’s Funeral Home. He later returned to Iowa and worked for the Cecil Goettsch Funeral Home in Monticello. In November of 1965 Jerry purchased Bybee & Davis Funeral Home in Knoxville from Clarence Miers and Barbara Whitlatch-Brubaker. Jerry purchased an additional location, Mason Funeral Home in Pleasantville, in the fall of 1984. In 2000, Jerry sold his interest in the funeral homes to his son, Ray Bertrand. In 2005 he moved to Prescott Valley, Arizona to be near his son, Michael.
Jerry was involved in numerous community organizations during the 40 years he lived in Knoxville. He was a 30 year member of Rotary, where he received two Paul Harris Fellow Awards. He was a member of the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce and several other commercial and community organizations through the years. He also enjoyed his membership and the social activities associated with Pine Knolls Country Club. His professional memberships included the Iowa Funeral Directors Association and the National Funeral Directors Association. He was proud of his work as a Funeral Director and had served 1000’s of families during their times of need. His professionalism, compassion and understanding were of great solace to the families he was privileged to serve.
Jerry passed away on Friday, March 5, 2010 at the Yavapai Medical Center, in Prescott Valley, at the age of 74 years, 7 months and 12 days.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Ronald Zager.
Those left to honor his memory include his dear friend and companion, Betty Pierce of Prescott Valley, AZ; his children: Scott (Patti) Zager of St. Paul, Minnesota; Barb Zager of Marshalltown, Iowa; Michael (Sue) Zager of Prescott Valley, Arizona; Maja Clayton (Scott) of Grinnell; Larry (Becky) Bertrand of St. Mary’s, Iowa; Ray (Danielle) Bertrand of Knoxville, Iowa and Dan Zager of Pleasantville, Iowa; 12 grandchildren; his siblings: Dolores (Frank) Burns of Iowa City, Iowa; Mike (Gloria) Zager of Knoxville, Iowa and Steve (Sheila) Zager of Burlington, Iowa and many other family members and friends.