Gerald "Jerry" Otis Navara

Gerald “Jerry” Otis Navara, age 85, of Mitchellville, Iowa passed away on June 14, 2025 at Methodist Manor Retirement Community in Storm Lake, Iowa.

Visitation will take place Friday, June 20, 2025 from 9-12:00 p.m. at Hamilton's Altoona Funeral Home in Altoona, Iowa. Burial will be at 2:00 p.m. at the Rose Hill Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Marshalltown, Iowa.

He was born August 19, 1939 to Antonin Navara Jr. and Nellie Arlene (Switzer) in Marshalltown, Iowa. He graduated from Marshalltown High School, attended Iowa State Teacher’s College (University of Northern Iowa) obtaining a Master of Arts degree.

In 1959 he married Arlene Tychsen. In 1960 their daughter, Jackie, was born. In 1964 their son, Timothy, was born.

Jerry spent his working educational career at Southeast Polk Community School District as a teacher, coach, and administrator.

Jerry enjoyed tennis, golf, fishing, gardening, traveling, and watching grandchildren play sports.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Arlene; brother and sister-in-law, Ronald and Carol Navara and brother-in-law, James Svendsen. Also, Arlene’s parents, her brother, Ted and wife Betty and their son, David; her sister, Phyllis and her husband Ken.

Jerry is survived by his daughter, Jackie (Paul) Loos and son, Timothy (Jennifer) Navara; grandchildren: Ashley (Nate) Bagby, Quinn Navara and Keelea Navara; step great-grandchildren: Drea, Taylor, and Braxton Bagby; siblings: Shirley Svendsen, James (Jean) Navara, David (Lynda) Navara, Michael (Bonnie) Navara; in-laws: Gene (Nancy) Tychsen and many nephews and nieces and their children.

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