Jerry Wahl of Baxter, IA has gone home, leaving behind a circle of those who loved him.
These are some of the moments and memories that shaped his story.
Jerry spent his working life as ['the US Postal Service as a Rural Letter Carrier delivering mail to Kellogg', 'the Post Office'] — and was, by all accounts, loved by those who knew him best.
Service is its own kind of love — quiet, steady, often unseen.
Jerry Wahl, 68, of Kellogg, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at the Newton Village Nursing Home in Newton, Iowa. A Masonic Service will be held on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. at Fredregill Funeral & Cremation Care in Baxter. Immediately following, a celebration of Jerry's life will continue until 7:00 p.m. A private family burial will be held at Antle Cemetery in Kellogg.
Jerry was born in Grinnell, Iowa, on June 20, 1957, to Carl and Henrietta (Groeneveld) Wahl of Kellogg. He attended Kellogg Elementary School, Berg Jr. High in Newton, and graduated from Newton High School, where he excelled playing the trumpet and violin. Jerry was in the Iowa All-Star Orchestra for 2 years, where he played the violin. He was also a member of the FFA. Jerry graduated from Newton High School in 1976. Jerry then attended Central College in Pella, where he studied music. Throughout his life, his love for music gave him many opportunities to play with great local musicians. Jerry played in the Newton Civic Orchestra, Pella Community Orchestra, Newton Municipal Band, made 8 professional studio recordings, and played in many central Iowa bands most of his life. He loved classical, old-time, Celtic, western swing, and bluegrass music.
In 1986, Jerry enlisted in the Army Reserve in Fort Des Moines and served with the 974th Personnel Service Company. He got called to active duty and served during Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He obtained the rank of Sergeant and was honorably discharged after 6 years of service.
Jerry married Barb Zart in 1999 and divorced in 2017. They always remained close friends until she passed away on November 30, 2025.
Jerry farmed west of Kellogg from the time he was a boy. He worked for the US Postal Service as a Rural Letter Carrier delivering mail to Kellogg, Gilman, Colfax, Newton, and Baxter. After 36 years of dedicated service, he retired from the Post Office.
Jerry was an active member of the Kellogg and surrounding communities. He was a member of the Kellogg American Legion, Kellogg Lions Club, and Past President of the Jasper County Rural Carriers' Association. Brother Wahl became a Master Mason on August 30, 1993, in Unit Lodge #520 in Baxter. He served the lodge on two occasions as Worshipful Master and was the long-time secretary. He received his York Rite degrees and Orders in the Newton York Rite. He was exalted in Gebal Chapter #12 RAM on November 11, 1995; greeted in Malachi Council #55 R.&S.M. on November 11, 1995, and knighted in Oriental Commandery on November 21, 1995. He had served as High Priest, Illustrious Master, and Eminent Commandery. Sir Knight Wahl served as Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Iowa in 2022-2023. He was a member of the Des Moines Scottish Rite Consistory and Za-Ga-Zig Shrine. He belonged to many invitational Masonic bodies: Iowa York Rite College #37, Last Supper Tabernacle XVIII Holy Royal Arch Knights Templar Priests, Polaris Council #449 Allied Masonic degrees, Iowa College SRICF, Charles Clyde Hunt Priory #42 Knights York Cross of Honour, Iowa Court #81 Masonic Order of Athelstan, the Operatives, Green Degrees Council #93 Knight Masons, St. Ignatius Conclave Red Cross of Constantine, Royal Order of Scotland, and Yeoman of York. His favorite activity was Freemasonry. Jerry served many chairs and roles, and on any given night could be found amongst his Masonic Brothers.
Jerry also enjoyed farming, collecting antiques, collecting coins, being outdoors, hunting, and trapping around the Skunk River that ran through their property.
Those left to cherish his loving memory are his brother Norris Wahl of Kellogg, Iowa; 1st cousin Robyn Galvez of California; and many 2nd and 3rd cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents Carl and Henrietta; grandparents; good friend Barb Wahl; and 1st cousin Conrad Wahl.
Fredregill Funeral & Cremation Care has been entrusted with the care of Jerry and his family.
