Gerald A. Schacht

Gerald A. Schacht, age 83, of Decorah, IA passed away Wednesday, May 25, 2016 at his home.

Memorial services will be held 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, May 31, 2016 at the Decorah Lutheran Church in Decorah, IA with Pastor Dave Sorenson officiating. Burial will take place in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Lime Springs, IA at a later date. Hindt-Hudek Funeral Home of Cresco, IA is assisting the family.

Gerald Arthur Schacht was born June 13, 1932 in Cresco, Iowa to Arthur and Hilda (Wilken) Schacht. He was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Cresco. During high school he worked for his dad at Schacht Motor Company. He graduated from Cresco High School in 1951. Jerry worked for Rath Packing Company in Waterloo, Iowa before joining the Marine Corp in August of 1952. He was in the Marine Corp during the Korean War and was stationed at Cherry Point, North Carolina until he was honorably discharged in August of 1955. On October 30, 1955 he married Dorothy Anderson at First Lutheran Church in Sioux Rapids, Iowa. They resided in Decorah, Iowa. Jerry worked at MacMaster’s Ford Garage from 1955 to 1966 and later opened Jerry’s Body Shop at 102 E Broadway in Decorah. In 1996 he was forced to move his business to Highway 9 East which is currently operated by his son Duane.

Jerry had numerous hobbies. He was involved in stock car racing in the mid 60’s and had a successful run with his 55 Ford, #57. He loved 4-wheeling at “The Valley” with family and friends. He also enjoyed vacationing in Colorado, canoeing, and camping. Jerry adored his grandchildren and spent much of his time taking them to gun shows, helping them restore bikes and playing dominoes with them. Jerry loved animals and had several horses and labs throughout the years; “Duke” was his last and most faithful lab. In his later years he spent the majority of his time restoring military jeeps. He was an avid collector of everything and a seller of nothing!

He is survived by four children: Rhonda (Willet) Young, Audrey (Daniel) Fadness, Duane (Chris) Schacht all of Decorah, Gretchen Schacht (fiancé Phil Falcone) of North Arlington, New Jersey. Eight grandchildren: Shannon (Dan Fullhart), Jordan (Hannah), Justin, Ryan (fiancé Lexy Lloyd) Young all of Decorah, Amanda (Gregory) Winterhalter of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Jake of Denver, Colorado, Stephanie of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Mitchell Fadness of Decorah. Two great grandchildren, Colton and Kinley Young. One brother, Dale (Carol) Schacht of Langhorne, Pennsylvania.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy on April 5, 1992, parents Arthur Henry Schacht in October of 1969 and Hilda (Wilken) Schacht in October of 1989 and granddaughter Brittany Johnson Schacht in February of 1984.

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