Jerome Kay Stokesbary

Jerome “Jerry” Stokesbary, 83, of Mason City, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his loved ones, on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. A funeral service will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 30, 2026 at Major Erickson Funeral Home, with Pastor Nadine Nkulu officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment will take follow at Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to Hospice of St. Croix.

Son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather; Jerry Stokesbary’s kind heart was loved by many. He was born on May 6, 1943 in Klemme, Iowa the son of Orville and Nova (Koerner) Stokesbary. Jerry was raised in the Klemme area and graduated from Klemme High School in 1961.

Following high school, Jerry continued his education at Hamilton Business College. You could find him at the YMCA, playing basketball or enjoying a slice from Vic’s Pizza. On June 22, 1963, Jerry was united in marriage to Sharon Ann Bachman in Klemme, Iowa. Sharon came home from kindergarten and told her mom she was going to marry Jerry someday – and she did.

Jerry and Sharon lived in Mason City, where he was an electrical salesman at Culver Hahn Electrical Supply until he retired. As Jerry and Sharon raised their family they spent summers in Clear Lake, Iowa at their cabin and vacationing to some of their favorite spots.

Over the years, Jerry and Sharon went on many snowmobile trips with friends. He loved golfing, bowling, yard work, visiting the casino, cheering on the Vikings, Hawkeyes and Twins, playing cribbage with his family and taking his beloved beagles for walks around the neighborhood.

Jerry dedicated his life to his family by attending events for his kids and grandkids. Jerry’s presence was felt by his family through his compassionate and proud demeanor.

A devoted husband, Jerry spent years taking care of Sharon through her health issues until her passing in 2018.

From the words of Grandpa Jerry, “The best thing you can do is follow your dreams. Treat others how you want to be treated and don’t hold grudges.”

Those thankful for having shared in Jerry's life include his wife, Sharon; children, Steven (Kim) Stokesbary, Sandra (Brent) Schupanitz, Stacie Stokesbary; eight grandchildren, Abbigayle (Jason) Kay, Andrew Harrison, Samantha Schupanitz, Maggie Harrison, Isabel Stokesbary, Benjamin (Vivian) Stokesbary, Ashlynn Howey, Braeden Howey; one great granddaughter, Eloise Kay, two sisters, Janice (Marvin) Janssen and Julie (William) Renner, and in-laws Ronald (Janice) Bachman; and several nieces and nephews.

Jerry was preceded in death by his wife, Sharon (Bachman) Stokesbary; his father, Orville Stokesbary; his mother, Nova (Stokesbary) Gelner, and stepfather, Leon Gelner; his sister, Janice Janssen, and brother-in-law, Marvin Janssen; his parents-in-law, Earl and Ruth (Jurgemeyer) Bachman; and his nephew, Douglas Bachman