Memorial

Jerald N. Railsback, 90, of Cedar Rapids, passed away at home on May 19, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family. Jerald was our dad and our rock. Dad honored and loved his country by serving as an Army Airborne paratrooper with the 82nd Division. He worked 30 years as a ham boner at Farmstead (Wilson’s) and continued operating his family’s century farm in Palo after the passing of his father. As an avid outdoorsman, Grandpa climbed mountains, slept in the elements, hunted moose, mountain goats, black bear, and fished in Alaska, Canada, Iowa, Minnesota, and South Dakota. He had a profound love for history, a growly but tender heart, a gift at the grill and smoker, and a strong, steady faith in God. Jerald married Judith K. (Colbert) Railsback on December 14, 1970, at Zion Lutheran Church in Hiawatha. They lived their married life in the same home they bought together for over 50 years. Jerald is preceded in death by his parents Cecil and Daisy (Moubry) Railsback, sister Norma J. Elson, wife Judith K. (Colbert) Railsback, son James C. Railsback, and granddaughter Ella E. Timm.  He is survived by his sister: Carol Kaut; children: John (Shelly) Railsback, Rita Duby, Kimberly (Michael) Lovely, Joseph (Anne) Railsback,  and Janet Timm (Steve Emig); grandchildren: Ben (Hannah) Railsback, Morgan (Logan) Klopping, Tiffany and Sara Schneider, Miles Moa (Kimy Southard), Janel (Kody) King, Aiden Beck, Quinton Lovely, Kylie Railsback, and Chloe Anderson; and great-grandchildren: Daisy Railsback, Lucas and Hunter Klopping, Bellamy and Rudy, and Eldon King, who will all carry forward his stories, his strength, stubbornness, and his love for the outdoors. 

Visitation will be held from 10:00-10:30 AM at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home on Saturday May 23, 2026, followed by a graveside service at 11:00 AM at East Oakwood Cemetery in Shellsburg, Iowa.

A memorial fund has been established.