Jerry "Shorty" Lee Gaskill

Jerry “Shorty” Lee Gaskill, the son of Lyle and Rose Marie (Fry) Gaskill, was born July 21, 1940, at his parents’ home in Audubon County south of Audubon, Iowa and died October 11, 2019, at his home in Audubon at the age of 79 years, 2 months, and 20 days.
Shorty was baptized at the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Ross, Iowa and later confirmed as an adult at the First Presbyterian Church in Audubon, Iowa. He attended rural school at Leroy #2 south of Ross, Iowa, and then attended the Audubon Community High School. Shorty worked for several area farmers before he enlisted into the United States Air Force on September 10, 1957. During his tour of duty he served as a vehicle operator and was stationed in Alaska. Shorty was honorably discharged on February 8, 1961, and returned to the Audubon area where he drove truck for Carlson Seed Corn and Roberts Transfer.
On August 4, 1962, he was united in marriage to Beverly Sorensen at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Atlantic, Iowa. They were blessed with two daughters Jerri and Jonelle. Shorty continued driving truck for H.P. Jorgensen, then Kardell Trucking, and later TCI. He bought a feed truck and delivered feed for the COOP for several years. Shorty purchased a tractor and trailer and drove over-the-road for Crouse Cartage Company until he retired from trucking in 2005. He was employed as a custodian at the Audubon County Courthouse for several years then detailed cars until he fully retired due to his failing health.
Shorty was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Audubon. He always kept his lawn and his garage in immaculate condition as long as he was physically able and enjoyed being in his garage. Shorty enjoyed watching TV and listening to Country Music.
Preceding him in death was his granddaughter Bricy McCuen; his son-in-law Mark Irlmeier; his parents; brother Richard Gaskill, and his father-in-law and mother-in-law Harvey and Marie Sorensen.
Survivors include his wife Beverly Gaskill of Audubon, Iowa, his daughters Jerri and husband Pat McCuen and Jonelle Gaskill-Irlmeier and her partner David Andreasen all of Audubon; his grandchildren: Rachael and husband Mark Miller and their children Jens and Halle all of Terre Haute, Indiana, Jeremy and wife Kristina Lupardus and their children Wyatt, Klayton, Treyten, and Ky all of Manning, Iowa, Jenna and husband Shannon Cline and their children Finley and Hollyn all of Bondurant, Iowa, Trace McCuen of Audubon, Jade Irlmeier of Casey, Iowa, Ben Irlmeier, Heath Irlmeier, Blade Andreasen and Bree Andreasen all of Audubon; his sister Dorothy Daugaard of Adair, Iowa; his sisters-in-law Bonnie Gaskill of Cary, North Carolina, Ann Bohnstedt of Blue Grass, Iowa, Karen LaBalle of Kathleen, Georgia, and Esther and husband Charlie Miller of Delta, Colorado; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
The family will meet with friends Monday evening October 14, 2019, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon, Iowa. Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Kelley Pedersen on Tuesday morning, October 15, 2019, at 10:30 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Audubon, Iowa. Interment will be in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Audubon. The casket bearers will be Jeremy Lupardas, Trace McCuen, Mark Miller, Shannon Cline, Steve Mathisen, and Doug Weston.