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Gerald Robert Mishak

gerald mishak

July 23, 1946 ~ October 13, 2025

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Gerald Robert “Gerry” Mishak, age 79, a resident of New Hampton, Iowa, passed away Monday, October 13, 2025 at his home following a recent hospitalization at Mayo Clinic Hospital St. Mary’s Campus.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 17, 2025 at Holy Family Parish in New Hampton with Rev. Chris Podhajsky celebrating the Mass.

Friends may greet the family from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 16, 2025 at Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home & Crematory in New Hampton.  Visitation continues an hour prior to the Mass on Friday at the church.

641-394-4334.

Gerald “Gerry” was born July 23, 1946 in New Hampton, Iowa to Cecelia Amelia (Schupanitz) Mishak and Walter F. Mishak of Alta Vista, Iowa.  He attended catholic elementary and high school at St. Williams School in Alta Vista.

After graduating he worked for various local businesses in the New Hampton area where he met the love of his life, Marilee Ann Lowe.  They married August 19, 1967 and recently celebrated their 58th Wedding Anniversary.  He joined the Chickasaw County Ambulance crew as an EMT and helped develop tools for vehicle extraction.  In 1974, Gerry attended the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy in Johnston, IA.  Gerry was a deputy for Chickasaw County, Iowa for 27 years before retiring in 2001.  During his time on the force, he worked patrol, was Jail Administrator, DARE Officer, and he taught Jail Administration classes at the academy.  In his retirement he worked part time at FS enjoying the camaraderie and fellowship of his co-workers.

Gerry was active in his community.  He and Marilee taught Pre Cana at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, he was a mentor through the STAR Mentoring, taught Iowa Hunter Safety, and mowed the Fredericksburg Gun Club to name a few.  Gerry was a member of The Ghost Garrison founding the Fort Atkinson rendezvous in 1976. Gerry and Marilee brought Cowboy Poetry to Chickasaw County in 2005 when they were fundraising for the Twin Ponds Nature Center.  The event continued to grow and it branched into a fundraiser for various organizations for over 13 years before the Mishaks passed the torch to the Lawler Lions.

Gerry is survived by his wife, Marilee of New Hampton; one son Kelly Mishak of Nora Springs; one daughter Karla (James) Lee of Kansas City; four grandchildren, KC Anna (Dustin) Rosol, Emma Jean (Matt) Marks, Jacob (Nicole) Lee and Jessica Lee, and five great-grandchildren, Charlie and Milo Rosol and Lila, Apollo and Ivy Marks, as well as his daughter in law, Colleen Mishak.

He is preceded in death by his parents Walter (1971) and Cecil (1992), his sisters Delores (Jerry) Felder, Marilyn (Leo) Elenz and Jean (Leroy) Hilsman, and one nephew, Richard Hilsman.

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  1. Our deepest sympathy to the Mishak family! May he rest in Peace! Fly high among angels 19-3 !! (10-4 )

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  2. Our hearts go out to Marilee, Kelly, Karla and families. Gerry was one of a kind, always up for a good time and one of the greatest storytellers ever. Keep all the cherished memories close to your hearts. He will be missed by so many. Hugs and prayers to you all 💔🙏🙏

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    • Marilee, Kelly, Karla and family our deepest sympathy to you for your loss of an amazing man, Gerry. I remember the first time I met him he was a gentle soul with a giant heart of gold. Allways a great time was had with lots of laughter when you shared your stories. He will be missed by all.

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  3. Marilee and family
    Sorry to hear about Jerry passing. I am sure there are many good memories to help you get through the next few days
    Hugs and prayers coming your way.
    Mary Jane & Randy Leach

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  4. Michelle and I think of you often. I will always remember Jerry for his big personality. When we recently traveled to Ireland, I asked him many questions about different places and he always started his response in a booming voice. “Aw you’re gonna love it!!”
    Love,
    The Roethlers

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  5. Extending our most heartfelt condolences to you, Marilee and family. Have known Gerry and his family all my years, having been raised near Alta Vista. Many stories he and my brother Dan could tell, but best left for the two of them to reminisce. May he rest in eternal peace.🙏🙏

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  6. Marilee, Karla, Kelly and families, our hearts are broken with Mish’s passing. Lance working with him for 36 years and the years I dispatched during his shift will always be remembered with lots of great memories! “Jan, ole buddy, ole pal” was familiar if he needed help with something or another in the office. Memorable times off work too riding motorcycles, having coffee, attending birthday parties and sharing fun times, with lots of laughing. Oh how we loved this man!!

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  8. My deepest sympathies Marilee, Kelly and Karla and families. He was always a fa man with a big smile. Laughter that would fill a room.
    Hugs and prayers.
    Bonnie Burgart Collins

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  10. Marilee and family, so very sorry for your loss. Gerry was a gem…one of the good guys. Always had words of wisdom with his great sense of humor!! Keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers. Fly high among the angels, Gerry…you’ll be missed by many!

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  11. To the family of Gerry and Marilee Mishak (Mish): We have known you for many years now. It’s hard to say the words that Gerry has passed. The best we can say Is, you have made it home to GOD Gerry! I’m sure he has reserved a place for You My Friend. We will all miss that personality and Love You shared with us all . What a wonderful father, husband and mentor to your family and friends and to anyone who has known you! We Love You and your family Mish. We always will !

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  12. Marilyn and family,
    My Mother and myself are sending our deepest condolences, prayers, and hugs to u with ur loss of Gerry. He, was a fantastic friend to the Folkers and Angell families from when he started as Deputy for Chickasaw County and continuing for many years. His smile and kindness were contagious.

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  15. Marilee and family l thought of you and Mish just yesterday and laughingly remembered some great times at Leo’s and the teasing and catching a miss played domino! He so loved his family and could talk forever about his pride in all of you. Prayers are coming your way

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  16. Marilee and family, our deepest sympathy to you all. Gerry was one of a kind, wonderful humorous stories and was just great to visit with. Keeping you all in our prayers.

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  17. I will always remember he was the one who gave me a hug one day in the ER when times were really hard for this single mom. That was 25 years ago, little acts of kindness mean so much. My sympathy to the his family.

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  19. Marilee, Karla, Kelly and family. It’s hard to put into words how much this man will he missed. We shared so many awesome times..times when he had us crying from laughing so hard, to his “sheriff days” stories, to just listening to his life events. Those days will forever be great memories to last a lifetime. Just wish we could have more of those moments. Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, Love leaves a memory no one can steal.🍀🍀 May God hold you all extra close throughout all of this. Big hugs to you all and much love.

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  20. Marilee, Karla, Kelly and family. It’s hard to put into words how much this man will be missed. We shared so many awesome times..times when he had us crying from laughing so hard, to his “sheriff days” stories, to just listening to his life events. Those days will forever be great memories to last a lifetime. Just wish we could have more of those moments. Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, Love leaves a memory no one can steal.🍀🍀 May God hold you all extra close throughout all of this. Big hugs to you all and much love.

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  21. Sending my love to all the Mishak family. Gerry was the gentlest of gentlemen and left a mark with anyone who was lucky enough to have met him. A man of great stories and song and the twinkle in his eyes when he laughed was a joy to behold. All of us in Dingle who knew him and Marilee, are blessed!! Ar Dheis Dé ar a Anam Dílis!

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  22. Thoughts and Prayers are with his family, so sorry for your loss. 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

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  24. My deepest sympathy to Marilee, Kelly and Karla and their families. Gerry was a friendly and kind man with a great sense of humor. Special memories when we worked on pre cana many years ago. May he rest in peace.

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  32. We’ll all miss you, Gerry. Thanks for all the rich times. Put your feet up and rest, until the rest of us catch up with you.

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  33. KC & Family, So Sorry To Hear Of Jerry’s Passing. Prayers For Strength & Peace During This Time Of Loss. Love & God Bless You All

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  34. Marilee I am so sorry to hear that my buddy passed away ,We go back a long way and I will always want everyone to know he was my friend.I know it hurts so terrible knowing Jerry like I did he will want you to go on with your family God bless and keep you .Duane Hackman

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  35. Marilee and family, I extend my deepest sympathy to you and yours. May the love of Jesus be a holding spot for all the family to get through these days of grief. For Gerrys plan has come to an end. Take peace knowing he’s now with his savior.

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  37. So sorry to hear of Gerry’s passing. What a wonderful and fun loving man. Our thoughts and prayers to you all.

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  38. We send our sincere condolences to Marilee and family. Gerry was a great contributor to his community. Our kids enjoyed the Dare program he did in our schools. Remember all the good things he accomplished. A life well lived.

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  40. Our condolences to the family. Gerry is fondly remembered as a friend to so many teens growing up in the 1970’s. When he became a deputy sheriff he remembered what it was like to be a teenager and instead of coming down hard on kids, he just told them to go home . Teens had so much respect for him. This is how Gerry lived his whole life, with common sense and community.

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  42. I have great memories from working with Gerry & Marilee at Pre Canas with engaged couples.
    Gerry was the best storyteller & got lots of laughs during their talk to the couples.
    There is a special place in heaven for Gerry. I offer my sympathy to the whole family.

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  46. We are so sorry for your loss. Gerry always brought a smile or a laugh to everyone he encountered. We will always remember the memorable times we spent with Gerry and Marilee.

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  47. We are so very sorry for your family’s loss 💔 He was a great guy. Our thoughts and prayers to you all 🙏

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  48. Marilee and family, Our deepest sympathy, He was a great guy! Fought a hard battle to the end.
    I remember when he worked at Lampson Oil Station and at Eskildsen Plumbing before becoming a Deputy.
    Always smiling and pleasant.

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  49. Our Deepest Sympathy to Marilee and family. What a kind and caring man. He will be missed by many that knew him.

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  51. So very sad to read in the paper of Gerry’s passing. Such a good man, he will be missed by all in New Hampton. He was a staple of the town. My sincere sympathy to Marilee and family !

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  52. Marilee and family, My sincere sympathy and prayers to you and your family. Gerry was such a delightful man and gave so much to the community of N H. Cherish all of your memories.

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  55. Marilee & family. We are deeply sorry to hear of Gerry’s passing. I will always remember Gerry being the gentle giant when I was a young girl. Such a kind soul. I know there were many memories made with our Mom & Dad (John & Deb). They will cherish those forever! Please know we are sending prayers of comfort and peace to all of you.

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  56. Worked with Mish when he was a deputy and I was a city officer. We shared some good days together, and some not so good days. But his good humor and story telling always brightened up those not so good days. He always offered to help when needed, and was very much welcomed when back up on calls was needed. Good friend, good cop. RIP 19-3. My condolences to the family.

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