FOREST CITY — Jerry Richard Sandry, 72, died September 17, 2026, at his home in Forest City.
A celebration of Jerry’s life will be held during the summer of 2027, with additional arrangements to be announced by his family.
Jerry was born June 13, 1954, in Belmond, the oldest child of Clarence and Arlene (Chapman) Sandry. He spent his childhood on several family farms, attended country school and graduated from Crestwood High School in Cresco in 1973.
That same year brought one of the most important milestones of his life.
Jerry had met Jean “Jeannie” Ungs, and the couple married December 21, 1973. Their marriage would span more than half a century and produce three children — Julie, Jerry Jr., known as Sonny, and Jennifer.
Jerry and Jeannie initially farmed near Cresco while raising their young family, but farming would prove to be only the beginning of Jerry’s working life.
He had an entrepreneurial streak and a willingness to try something new, traits that eventually led the couple to purchase a building in Chester.
Their first attempt was a cafe. When that idea did not work as planned, Jerry and Jeannie changed course rather than giving up.
They started selling pizza.
Borderline Pizza was born.
The business proved enormously popular and eventually expanded to 10 locations. Jerry and Jeannie settled in Forest City, where their restaurant became a familiar part of community life during the 1980s and 1990s.
For a generation of Forest City youngsters and families, Borderline Pizza was about much more than grabbing something to eat. The restaurant hosted birthday parties, rented VCRs and movies and developed an expanding play area that made it a popular destination for children.
After Borderline Pizza briefly closed in the late 1990s, Jerry wasn’t finished.
He and Jeannie returned with another restaurant, Taco Jerry’s. Before long, they added pizza to the menu again — a move welcomed by longtime customers who had missed it.
The Sandrys remained in the restaurant business until selling in 2005.
Jerry’s approach to business and life could be summed up by one of his favorite beliefs: “Anything is possible.”
That attitude took the family in yet another direction in 1994, when Jerry and Jeannie began breeding Boston terriers from their beloved dog, Jelsi.
What began with one cherished dog developed into Jelsi Puppies.
Over time, the business expanded to include French bulldogs and a special breed known as Freedoms. Jerry and Jeannie took pride in raising dogs that would become beloved pets in homes around the country.
Jerry wasn’t afraid of work, projects or a new idea.
Family remembered his tremendous work ethic, determination and entrepreneurial nature. If something interested him, he was willing to figure it out, put in the hours and see where it might lead.
When he wasn’t working, Jerry had plenty of interests to keep him occupied.
He loved oldies music and black-and-white television programs. Motorcycles and classic cars were favorites, and there always seemed to be another chore, improvement or project waiting somewhere around the property.
Despite his many businesses and projects, Jerry’s greatest pride came from his family.
He enjoyed hearing about what his children and grandchildren were doing and took enormous satisfaction in watching them build lives and successes of their own.
Jerry is survived by his wife of more than 50 years, Jeannie; children Julie Sandry of Forest City, Jerry Jr. “Sonny” and Megan Sandry of Ames, and Jennifer Higgins of Forest City; grandchildren Alyssa Sandry, Trey Rauk, Jerry “Jake” Sandry III, Neenah Sandry and Emma Rauk; and great-grandson Sebastian Ortega.
He is also survived by sisters Patty and John Price of Fort Lupton, Colorado, Tammy Mary and Jeremy Hanson of Garner, and Lorry and Larry Schoppers of Cresco; sister-in-law Karen Sandry of Cresco; and many nieces and nephews.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Arlene Sandry; brother Billy Sandry; and son-in-law Chris Higgins.
Those wishing to read the family’s complete remembrance or share a memory may visit the official obituary for Jerry Sandry through Schott Funeral Homes.
Jerry leaves behind more than businesses and projects. In Forest City, there are still people who can remember birthday parties at Borderline Pizza, renting a movie for the weekend or being thrilled when pizza returned to the menu at Taco Jerry’s. Others will remember the dogs he and Jeannie raised, the old cars and motorcycles he admired, his endless willingness to tackle another project and a philosophy that allowed him to keep trying something new: anything was possible.
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