Jerry Cowan

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the MDS Foundation or the Algona Lions Club in Jerry's name. A funeral service will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, December 29, 2018 at Grace Church, Algona. Visitation will be held from 10 to 11 AM on Saturday, December 29, 2018 at Grace Church, Algona. Jerry Dale Cowan was born on March 14, 1942 in Algona, son of Harold 'Boy' and Vivian (Dale) Cowan. He grew up in Algona and graduated from Algona High School. Following high school he attended Parson's University. He then returned home to marry his grade-school sweetheart, Sharon DeGroote. Jerry helped run the family lumber, ready-mix and construction company, Cowan Corp. Cowan Corp. built numerous buildings in Algona. Jerry was a simple man and enjoyed the simple things in life. He enjoyed spending time with his family. He especially enjoyed attending all his grandchildren's activities. Jerry was an avid bird watcher and also enjoyed golfing. Not a fan of cold weather, Jerry later moved to Florida where he lived to the end. Everyone found Jerry a very likeable man and he made friends everywhere he went. 'Big Jer', as he was known by many, was the life of ...[more]

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ry gathering. He lived by the motto "keep a smile on your face and a song in your heart" which all his extended family will treasure. Jerry passed away on Christmas Day from MDS complications, surrounded by his family at his bedside. He was 76. He leaves behind two loving children, Jeff (Cheryl) Cowan of Eden Prairie, MN, and their children Jack and Sydney Cowan; Cathy (Steve) McCauley of Algona, and their children, Kelsie (Joe) Johnson, Maggie (Lachlan) Kelley, Michael McCauley and Molly McCauley; two great-grandchildren, Jacie and Ryker Johnson; and brother, Jim (Gail) Cowan of Algona. Preceding him in death are his parents and wife, Judy.