June 30, 1938 – November 28, 2025
Jerry Lee Buechele, 87, of Grafton, Iowa, passed away on Friday, November 28th, 2025 at the Mayo Clinic Health System in Austin, Minnesota.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Monday December 8th, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, with a prayer service at 2:30 PM, at Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 3rd St NE, Mason City, IA.
Jerry was born on June 30th, 1938, the son of Arnie and Myrtie (Bruesewitz) Buechele. He grew up in Grafton and graduated with the Grafton High School Class of 1956. Jerry was united in marriage to Joy Bowers on January 15th, 1961, in Mason City, IA. They were blessed with two children, Sara and Andy.
Right out of high school, Jerry began his lifelong career in farming. He loved working with hogs and tending to his crops. He was meticulous in everything he did, and his work ethic showed in every part of his farm. His dedication was recognized when he received the Master Pork Producer of the Year Award in 1989. Farming and family truly ran in his blood, completing his 70th growing season this fall.
Jerry had a knack for collecting things and an even greater talent for fixing them. He often said, “Don’t throw that away, you never know if you might need that someday.” He enjoyed visiting junkyards and especially loved the flea markets in Arizona. As avid RV travelers, their family ventured to all 48 states and later he and Jo visited Hawaii and Alaska. Jerry and Jo spent their winters in Arizona where they formed many great friendships.
Jerry served his country by enlisting in the National Guard. He was also very active in his community by serving on the board of directors for Farmers State Bank, North Iowa Medical Center and Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Grafton.
Above everything else, Jerry cherished his family and friends.
Those left to cherish memories of Jerry are his wife, Jo; children, Sara Buechele, Andy (Lisa) Buechele; grandchildren, Hayley (Joey Knutson) Buechele, Dylan Buechele, and Briar Buechele; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Jerry is preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law, Elmer and Gladys Bowers; brothers and sisters in-law, Jack and Clarice Venechuk and Bud and Coke Bowers.
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