White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

WAUSAU, WI - Independence – Gerald A. "Jerry" Snow, 76, Wausau died Monday, June 10, 2013 under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services at Wausau Manor.

He was born March 13, 1937 in Decorah, Iowa, son of the late Lawrence and Helen (Anderson) Snow. On October 15, 1961 he married Kathleen Figge in Davenport, Iowa. She survives.

Jerry was a hardworking man from a very young age. He was a talented skate boy at the roller rink, a newspaper delivery boy and he worked at the Fareway Grocery Store in Independence while still in high school. Jerry went to college at UNI for one year to major in music, but was also working at Leo O'Brien's Clothing Store in Independence, Iowa and after the passing of Mr. O'Brien, was asked to manage the store. Jerry did not finish college, but took the opportunity to become an exceptional businessman. In 1961, Jerry married Kathleen Figge and in 1963 bought O'Brien's clothing store and changed the name to Snow's Clothing. Also in 1963, Jerry and Kathy proudly welcomed Shelley into the world with an announcement in the window of their clothing store. During his years of selling men’s clothing, Jerry also was an inventor and holds two U.S. Patents. In 1965 Kevin was welcomed into the family. Jerry sold the clothing store in 1968.

After leaving the clothing store, Jerry took a job selling wholesale with Big Smith and then for Carferry School Supplies. In 1971, Jerry gave up road sales to try Life Insurance Sales for a short time, but moved quickly to take a job as a State of Iowa Agent auditing farm gas refunds. He then moved into motor fuel tax auditing for farmers for the State of Iowa until 1979.

1979 brought a big change to the Snow Family with a move to Lake Tomahawk, Wisconsin. Jerry took a job as a lake property caretaker and Kathleen went to work at Howard Young Medical Center in Woodruff, WI. In May of 1980, Jerry became a Purchasing Manager for the Lakeland Medical Clinic and was offered the position of Administrator of the Medical Clinic in October of the same year.

In 1986, Jerry and Kathy moved back to Independence Iowa. Jerry was semi-retired at this time and dabbled in Real Estate and Business Consulting while enjoying time at his cabin on the Wapsipinicon River.

In 1995 Jerry moved back to Wausau, WI with his son, Kevin and family to help build Kevin's financial planning business.

In 2002, Jerry retired from his office manager position with Kevin to spend more time traveling to see his daughter, Shelley and her family, and his sister, Karen in Minnesota. He made several trips to Florida to visit his brother and sister-in-law, Steve and Bonnie Snow and countless trips to the cabin in Independence! Jerry was a savvy and sometimes ruthless businessman! He planned his work and then worked his plan. He did things his way, and rarely left anything undone. He liked his world organized and tidy, especially his yard and garage tools! His years in the clothing business made him a lifelong expert in men's clothing and a snappy dresser! Jerry was an amazing husband, father, and grandfather. His grandchildren adored him for his singing, his humor, endless fishing secrets and important life lessons! They all had a special place in his world! Jerry also had many, many friends and loved to entertain them! He often spent his last penny to have a party or enjoy time with those who meant so much to him. He loved going out to dinner, caring for others, and singing in the Independence First Presbyterian Church Choir. After several years of health issues including heart bypass surgery and eye surgeries, Jerry developed Lewy Body Dementia which tortured his mind and body for the past year. Jerry passed away peacefully with Kathleen and Kevin by his side.

Survivors include his wife, Kathleen "Kathy" Snow, Wausau, two children, Shelley (Pat) Kennedy, East Gull Lake, Minnesota and Kevin (Rachel) Snow, Wausau, six grandchildren, Keegan and Kyler Kennedy and Emily, Margaret, Nicholas and Gretchen Snow, one sister, Karen Snow, Eden Prairie, Minnesota, one sister-in-law, Bonnie Snow, Melbourne, Florida, one brother-in-law, Dr. Paul (Wendy) Figge, Aurora, Colorado and many nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents he was preceded in death by one brother, Stephan Snow.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 25, 2013 at the First Presbyterian Church in Independence, Iowa. Burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery, Independence. Friends may call from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Monday, June 24^th, at the White Funeral Home in Independence.

A Memorial Fund has been established in Jerry's name.