Jerome “Jerry” Litz

HARTINGTON — Jerome “Jerry” Litz, 92, Hartington, died Sept. 19, 2018, at the Hartington Care and Rehabilitation Center. Visitation will be Sept. 28, from 4-7 p.m., with a Vigil Service at 6 p.m,. at the Wintz Funeral Home, Hartington.  Visitation will continue at church Saturday, one hour prior to services. Mass of Christian Burial will be Sept. 29, at 10 a.m., at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Hartington, with the Rev. Owen Korte officiating. Burial will be at St. Michael’s Cemetery, Hartington, at a later date. Pallbearers will be his grandchildren.  Honorary pallbearers will be the current and retired employees of Cedar Knox Public Power District. Jerome Bernard was born Jan. 17, 1926, to Conrad A. and Mary (Heimann) Litz in Howells, and was baptized at St. Henry’s Catholic Church. He grew up west of Crofton and attended St. Rose and Crofton High Schools.  He worked on the Bruno Bogner Dairy farm, at the Bank of Hartington, and at the Cedar County Assessor Office as the Deputy Assessor.  Jerry then worked for nearly 40 years at Cedar-Knox Public Power District, with the last nine years as the General Manager.  Jerome married Agnes L. Feldhacker May 14, 1952, at St. John the Baptist Church, Fordyce.  Jerry and Agnes were parents of six daughters and all were parishioners of Holy Trinity Catholic Church.  Jerry generously shared his time and treasure with Holy Trinity Church, School and Cedar Catholic High School. Besides working to provide for his family, Jerry enjoyed volunteer work and hobbies.  He was a member of the Library Board for 20 years, served on the “21 Man Committee” of Holy Trinity, was on Perpetual Adoration for many years and was involved in the Ministry of Praise.  He and Agnes spent four years as ambulance attendants. They loved to play cards, dance, and bowl with their friends.  In his youth, Jerry loved to play baseball, especially with his brother, Norb.  In more recent years, he made latch hook rugs, 52 in all. Jerry served in the 8086th Army Special Troops Unit during the Korean War, aiding South Korean partisans in raids, harassment of supply lines, and the rescue of downed pilots.  He was then chosen to be a Shorthand Recorder, along with three other men, for the “Peace Talks” in 1954.  He worked 19 days at it, but the Peace Talks continued three more years.   R&R (Rest & Relaxation) in Tokyo was his way out.  He served 27 months in the military.  Jerome was a life member of the Hartington VFW Post #5283.  Jerry is survived by his six daughters, Susan & Dr. Marc Kurzbard, Anaheim, Calif.; Vicky and Tom Wieseler, Mt. Vernon, Iowa; Peggy and Dr. Jim Concannon, Pleasant Prairie, Wis.; Heidi and Britt Rosane, Nebraska City; Judy and Dave Altmaier, Kearney; and Jennifer and Jay Haberer, Crofton; 17 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Rosemary Polak, Coleridge, and Rita and Jerry Sperry, Wayne; sisters-in-law, Evelyn Litz, Wayne; Sharon Litz, Hartington; and Louise Litz, Denver, Colo. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Agnes, who died on Dec. 23, 2012, at the age of 84; three brothers, Norbert, Donald and Denis Litz; a sister, Roberta Litz; and brother-in-law, Donald Polak.