Gerald Allen Leidahl, age 87, a beloved husband, father, grandpa, brother, and friend of Decorah, Iowa, unexpectedly passed away on Thursday, November 20, 2025, at his home.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at First United Methodist Church, 302 W Broadway St., Decorah, Iowa with Pastor Cat Stokes presiding. Burial will be on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, in the Lone Tree Cemetery in Sioux Rapids, Iowa, with full military rites.

Visitation will be from 9:00-11:00 a.m. at the church on Tuesday morning.

Funeral Service will be livestreamed: Decorah FUMC - YouTube

In lieu of flowers, memorials and donations may be made out to First United Methodist Church of Decorah, St. Jude's Children Hospital, and Buena Vista University.

Gerald was born on August 7, 1938, at home in rural Marathon to Gordon and Florence Leidahl. From the very beginning, Gerald was a fighter as he was born premature at only seven months of gestation. He wasn't expected to live and was baptized into the Lutheran faith at birth.

Gerald attended Cornell High School and graduated in 1956. After graduation, he attended Buena Vista College in Storm Lake, Iowa. He also worked for local farmers until he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1941. He served two years of active duty, was discharged and served four more years in reserve. Gerald then returned to Buena Vista College to finish his degree in Social Studies and Education and graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1970.

Gerald met the love of his life in 1964, Virginia Caskey of Sioux Rapids. On June 5, 1966, they married, and to this union two children were born: Christopher Allen in 1967 and Lisa Ann in 1972. They resided in Storm Lake, Iowa, where Gerald worked for Anderson Brass Co. and in 1973, he moved his family to Decorah, Iowa. He was hired at the United States Postal Service and worked there until his retirement in 2005. While working full-time at the Post Office, his true passion was always his farm, sheep, and cattle herd he cared for. He was very proud of the meticulous lawn and flower gardens that, together, he and Virginia planted and enjoyed every year.

Above everything else, Gerald was a devoted family man and true friend. He attended and supported every activity his children and grandchildren participated in. You could always hear him cheering in the stands. Countless hours were spent teaching his children and his grandchildren to show sheep at the 4-H Fair. He took time out for vacations and especially made a tradition of taking his grandchildren and, most recently, great-grandchildren to Wisconsin Dells every summer. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing trips with his son Chris and grandson Eric to Maryland, Colorado, and Canada. Lovingly, he was referred to as "Bampe" to many, and also as grandpa.

He is survived by his wife, Virginia, and children Chris (Carol) Leidahl, Hagerstown, MD, and Lisa (Joe) Vsetecka, Fort Atkinson, IA. Grandchildren Eric (Jamie) Watts, Hanna (Mak) Kriener, Heidi Vsetecka, Josh (Kayla) Vsetecka, and Lia Vsetecka. Great-grandchildren Kaislee and Teegan Kriener. Sisters: Shirley (Don) Bright, Cherokee, IA, and Lois Leidahl-Marsh, Des Plaines, IL, Sister-in-Laws Cindy Leidahl, Sacramento, CA, and Carol Leidahl, Cherokee, IA.; as well as numerous nieces and nephews to all cherish his memory.

He was preceded in death by his parents, mother, and father-in-law, Laurence and Darleen Caskey, brothers Gordon JR. and Nathan Leidahl, brothers-in-law Robert Marsh and Dale Caskey, and sister in-law Sue Caskey.

Gerald was raised to never waste a day, and his family believes that he lived by that. He will be forever missed by his family and live on in our hearts forever.