In loving memory of

Gerald "Jerry" J. Laughlin
March 18, 1929 - May 15, 2017

Gerald "Jerry" J. Laughlin passed away in Omaha on May 15, 2017 at the age of 88. One of 11 children of Bernard and Irene Laughlin, Jerry was born on March 18, 1929 and raised in Imogene, Iowa. He lived most of his life in Omaha where he worked for several companies building hundreds of commercial properties in Omaha and the surrounding area. Jerry fulfilled his dream of owning a design/build company when he founded Laughlin Construction Company. Jerry did not know a stranger and, over the course of his lifetime, knew hundreds of people, many of whom still carry the nicknames Jerry gave them. He loved fishing, hunting, playing cards, swapping tales, telling jokes, and rum and coke. Jerry lived a very robust life, enjoying every moment. He was strong in his Catholic faith and is now being greeted in heaven by many family members, friends, and his dogs, Trouble and Molly.

Jerry is survived by daughter Gail Binderup and her husband Jim, and their sons Andrew and David (wife Abby) all of Omaha, and daughter Glenda Kanoudi and her husband Moe, and their sons Matthew (wife Nancy and son Braxton), Ryan, and Shawn (fiancée Leslie), all of Huntington Beach. He is survived by brothers Bud, Bob, John and Pat, and sisters Helen and Mary Lois. Jerry is also survived by Gwen Laughlin, the mother of his daughters. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Bernard and Irene Laughlin and his siblings Jerome, Rose, Theresa, and Jean.

The family thanks Cheryl for all the care and love she gave to Jerry over the past several years, bringing many blessings to his life. Thanks to the Good Samaritan staff for the care and prayers he was surrounded by during the last 18 months of his life as well as to Endless Journey hospice for their care during his final weeks.

Celebration of life memorial mass will be held 11:00 am, Saturday, May 20, 2017 at the St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Imogene, Iowa.

Burial of cremains will be held at the Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Imogene, Iowa with military rites provided by the Shenandoah American Legion Post 88 Color Guard.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

Tributes

Susie Eitzen Smith wrote on May 19, 2017:

"So sorry. I like to think that the pain is gone and they are up there smiling and telling stories. I remember one time when we were little, at Grandma and Grandpa's house, we were upstairs playing and your Dad came upstairs, he picked us up and threw us onto the bed. We laughed it up. Prayers are with you."

Ken and Jan Ludington wrote on May 18, 2017:

"Sorry to hear of Gerald's passing. Ken and I send our condolences to the family. "