Memorial
Jerome (Jerry) Micka, 94 of Cedar Rapids passed away on Wednesday January 16 at the Hiawatha Care Center. A visitation will be held at Cedar Memorial Sunday January 20, 2019 from 4-7 pm with remembrance sharing at 6:30. Funeral mass will be at All Saints Catholic Church Monday, January 21 at 10:00 am.
Jerry was born March 12, 1924 to William F. and Elizabeth Micka in St. Paul, Minnesota. He was raised in a fun and loving family and considered his dad his best friend. He graduated from Cretin High School and Dunwoody Technical School in St. Paul. He enlisted in the Army Air Corp during WWII. He took great pride in his role on the B29 as Central Fire Control. He was stationed on Tinian Island where he flew 29 bombing missions over Japan on “Lady Jean”. Mission 29 was his favorite, dropping much needed supplies to his fellow service men at the prisoner of war camp in China. Many years later at the age of 91 he had the thrill of flying on the restored B29 “FiFi”, proudly sitting once more in “The Barber Chair” at his Central Fire Control position.
Jerry married Florence Miller on Oct. 28, 1950. He worked for IBM for 39 years and thought it was the greatest company in the world. He was a dedicated member of the Knights of Columbus and served as Grand Knight. Jerry and Florence raised 5 children. After he retired they enjoyed traveling together.
Whatever Jerry did, it was always with enthusiasm. He was a jokester, tinkerer, piano player, card player, carpenter, hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed many activities including oil painting, gardening, swimming and vacationing at lakes in MN. He taught us to always treat other people the way we would like to be treated. He was a great citizen, role model and father whose sense of humor and spunk will live on forever in his children.
Survivors include children; Mary (Gary) Franck of Lisbon, Sue (Bill) Tietz of West Branch, Mike (Diane) Micka of Cedar Rapids, Betty (Chris) Rolwes of Cedar Rapids, Carol (Greg) Johnson of Marion. 11 grandchildren; Leah (Derek) Zhorne; Tom (Falen), Steve, Spencer and Tyler Micka; Elizabeth Micka, Grant Goodman, Emma Rolwes; Nate, Suzanne and Kelly Johnson; 2 great grandchildren; Evan Zhorne and Leighton Micka and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Jerry was preceded in death by his wife, Florence, parents William F. and Elizabeth Micka, brother Bill (Kaki) Micka, sisters Betty (Al) Tierney, Theresa (Jack) Wadlund , Brother in law Edward (Ruth) Miller, Sister in law Bernice (Don) Lynch, all from Minnesota.
The family wishes to thank Hiawatha Care Center for the wonderful care they provided to Jerry.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to one of the following organizations:
Commemorative Air Force, Doc’s Friends, (both restore and preserve aircraft used during WWII)
Or Discovery Living (assists developmentally disabled adults)