Geraldine “Gerry” Zmolek

TOLEDO-Geraldine Carol “Gerry” Zmolek, 94, of Toledo, passed away Sunday, January 5, 2025 at Sunny Hill Care Center in Tama. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, January 18, 2025 at 10:30 AM at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Tama, with Father Michael McAndrew as the officiant. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Toledo. Visitation will be held Friday, January 17, 2025, from 4 to 6 PM at Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home in Tama.

Geraldine was born on December 25, 1930, in Marshalltown, Iowa, the daughter of Ralph and Eva (Haynes) Gettle.

In 1948, she graduated from Garwin High School. Gerry lettered in basketball and was Valedictorian of her class.

On September 26, 1948, she married Lester Plum in Garwin, Iowa. He passed away in 1977. She then married Peter Zmolek on October 12, 1979 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Tama. Gerry worked at several local stores including Hugo’s Drug Store, T&T Department Store, Coast to Coast, and owned Gerry’s Dress Shop, all in Toledo. She retired on May 15, 1998.

Gerry was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Tama. She was involved in public office positions, clubs, and professional organizations. Gerry won the Governor’s Volunteer Recognition Award in 1999. She and Pete volunteered to count absentee ballots and were greeters at the Marshalltown Hospital for many years.

Gerry and Pete enjoyed their cabin at Holiday Lake, entertaining family and friends for many years. They were active in card clubs, belonging to two clubs, playing 500. They also did a lot of traveling over the years and by bus was their favorite mode of transportation. Gerry enjoyed knitting, especially afghans for family members. She always made Christmas very special at their home in Toledo. She also was a great cook, and enjoyed ceramics.

Survivors include a son, Roger Plum of Adel; her step-children, Tom Zmolek of Des Moines, Darrell (Judy) Zmolek of Dubuque, Colleen (Mark) Springer of Marshalltown, Marcia (Tyler) Forman of Boulder, CO, Pat Zimmer of Aurora, CO, and Kathy Condon of Broomfield, CO; seven grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; sister, Betty Rozevink of Mason City; and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death were her parents; husbands, Lester Plum and Pete Zmolek; daughter, Pam (Joe) Scalise; brothers, Howard Gettle, and Bill Gettle; sister, Charlotte VerBraken.

A memorial fund will be established to be given to a local charity at a future date or you can donate to a charity of your choice.