Jerry Lee Harmsen, 85, of Kearney, Missouri, passed away on January 22, 2025 in Excelsior Springs, MO. Jerry was born at home on January 3, 1940 in Wiota, Iowa, to Martin and Louise Harmsen. When Jerry was 6 years old, the family moved to Atlantic, Iowa, where he attended elementary school in a one room schoolhouse, graduating from Atlantic High School in 1958.
Following high school, he was drafted into the Army serving as a reconnaissance scout with his brother, Howard. After separation from the service, he attended Northwest Missouri State University. Trying his hand at several different jobs, he eventually went to work in the labor pool at Chemagro Chemical Company. Through a testing and talent search by the company, Jerry was chosen to attend a chemical formulation school. Excelling at his job in formulation, he received several promotions and became the plant manager. The plant was purchased by Bayer who owned the plant at the time of his retirement.
Following retirement, Jerry wrote many gospel songs and won numerous state and regional contests. Those songs he gave to gospel performing groups and refused to copywrite them. He said that God gave them to him, and he could not profit from the gift. Jerry led life his way and his talent and interest knew no bounds. He liked The Auctioneer Song so he became an auctioneer. Then he got a CDL license and drove a chemical tank wagon, rode motorcycles to rallies, graduated from gold mining school, rode dune buggies, had a 600 h.p. drag boat, fished major lakes and deep seas, graduated from casino management school, was a Texas Holdem dealer, won numerous Texas Holdem tournaments, became a chess player against top level computer programs, and loved online trivia tournaments. He also won both golf and pool tournaments. To say he was an intelligent and interesting man would be an understatement.
Jerry was predeceased by his parents, Martin and Louise Harmsen, and his first wife, Betty.
He is survived by the love of his life, his second wife of the home, Geniveve; his children, Debby Harmsen, Tim (Stacy) Chase, Valerie Chase, Todd Chase; grandchildren, Tyler, Dillon, Noah, Ryan, and Alex; great grandsons, Kallen and Bentlee; his brother, Howard Harmsen (Janice); and sister, Marrietta Comer (John); and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held from 1 to 2 p.m., Monday, January 27, 2025 with service following at Fry-Bross & Spidle Funeral Home, 208 S. Jefferson, Kearney, MO. Burial following at Fairview Cemetery, Kearney, MO.
