Jerry Card

Jerry Ross Card was born to Ross and Irene Card on May 7, 1935 seven minutes before his twin brother, Larry. At just over 3 pounds each, the twins were tough from the beginning. Eighteen months later their sister, Joanne, was born. The Card family lived on the east side while growing up. Jerry attended Phillips elementary, Woodrow Wilson junior high and Tech High School graduating in 1953 as an apprentice printer.

Jerry was active growing up – raising one rabbit that grew into enough rabbits that his father traded the rabbits for a set of carpentry tools, playing basketball and baseball as well as running track. Jerry played second base with his brother, Larry, when Tech High School won the city baseball tournament in 1953. Games of cards were a big part of Jerry’s family and could become quite vocal in a heated game of four point pitch. The cribbage games with his brother continued until Jerry’s final days and were just as boisterous as in their youth. Jerry and Larry were together growing up and living down the hall from each other in Jerry’s final days.

Jerry valued hard work. Jerry and Larry had paper routes while in grade school. After Jerry was married and had a growing family, he worked up to three jobs at a time. His first printing job was at Meredith printing followed by Capital City printing and the Des Moines Register and Tribune. In 1972, City Manager, Jeff Segin asked Jerry to take charge of the employee safety programs for the city which he did on his days off. In 1977 as the Des Moines Register was moving to digital printing, City Manager Dave Dirks asked if he would be interested in becoming the code enforcement officer. Jerry had a 30 year career as safety inspector and code enforcement officer for the city of Ankeny. He found great satisfaction in helping builders and tradesmen complete their task with minimal obstacles. He was a mentor to those learning their field whether it was electrical, plumbing, or city inspection. Yard work was Jerry’s favorite pastime especially as his eight track player belted out Slim Whitman tunes!

Jerry valued service. Jerry served on student council in high school and enlisted in Navy reserves as a senior in high school. He served eight years in the Navy reserves and was honorably discharged on September 21, 1961. When Jerry and family moved to Ankeny, he joined the volunteer fire department. He helped improve the ambulance service in Ankeny and was in the second class in Iowa to graduate from EMT training. He was in charge of the department’s EMT division and presented EMT courses throughout central Iowa. He taught first aid and CPR for over 20 years including several years at Ankeny High School. Jerry served on many fire fighter associations and was president of the Polk County Firefighter’s Association. In the mid 1970’s code enforcement was just beginning. Jerry became certified through self-study and helped shape city policies. Jerry was asked to help Community State Bank pick the address number when the bank moved to Ankeny Boulevard as long as it was between 800 and 900. Jerry chose his home address number of 817.

Jerry valued family. In 1954 Jerry met his wife of nearly 70 years, Janet. Janet was his strength and encourager for each new venture and many life struggles. Jerry and Janet were married in 1955 and had three children, Deborah, Melinda and John. Jerry worked hard so Janet could stay home with the children. He loved his nieces and nephews as well as great-nieces and great-nephews. He continually had a dog in the house and thought each one was the cutest dog ever. Family vacations were usually Clear Lake with Jerry’s family or Deeryard Lake in northern Minnesota with Janet’s family. Being a hard worker, the family had to restrain Jerry from clearing all the pine trees at Deeryard Lake.

Jerry and Janet were generous to anyone who needed help. Jerry co-signed a loan for a young co-worker and opened their home for meals to many. If he met you once, he considered you a friend often calling you “Buddy”, because he couldn’t remember names.

Jerry was preceded in death by his wife, his sister, his parents, his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law. He is survived by his children, Deb (Norm), Mindy, and John (Lori); his grandchildren, Kyle Card, Matthew Card, Anna Ryon (Paul), Paul McCleary (Jackie), and Scott McCleary (Christina); and his great-grandchildren Theo, Mavis, Nora and Lucy; brother, Larry Card; brother-in-law, Larry Clark; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Jerry died May 6, 2025 – one day before his 90th birthday.

The family would like to thank the staff at Valley View Village for their kind and compassionate care of Jerry as well as Dr. Jason Kopp and Dr. Ryan Tomlinson for their efforts to maintain Jerry in his final years.

Family will greet guests on Thursday, May 15, 2025, from 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Ave., Des Moines, Iowa. A funeral service will follow at the funeral home at 12:00 p.m. Jerry will be laid to rest at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery, 1 NE 60th Ave., Des Moines, following his funeral service.

Donations may be directed to the Ankeny Fire Department, Alzheimer’s Association or to his family to be used for a memorial yet to be determined.

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