Gerald Lee VonFeldt

Gerald Lee VonFeldt “Jerry”, age 81, of Commerce City, Colorado, passed away on January 5, 2026. He was born on March 25th 1944 in Hays, Kansas to parents Clarence A. and Anna M. (Brown) VonFeldt. The family moved to Colorado in 1949 in pursuit of work. Jerry grew up in the Brighton, Derby and Commerce City area and attended Irondale, Central Elementary and Adams City Junior and Senior high where he graduated in 1962. He attended Colorado State College in Greeley for 2 years with a desire to pursue a career in law or architectural design. In 1963, he married his long time sweetheart from Junior and Senior high school, Ellen (Stertz) VonFeldt and in 1964 they started a family.

Jerry is survived by:

Sister Shirley Lovett, brother Wayne VonFeldt, son Jason VonFeldt and his wife Dana, son Douglas VonFeldt and his wife Shanna, and three beloved grandchildren, Lily June, Jason David, and Colton Lee. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and many, many good friends.

Jerry liked to say he was “a jack of many trades and master of none”, but he was the person you would call when you needed help. He worked in many trades; butcher, tax assessor, railroad, insurance sales, contractor, handyman and business owner. Jerry had amazing talents such as drawing, wood working or just fixing things. He loved to learn and analyze things and had an ever inquisitive mind.

But what he really enjoyed was fishing, hunting, and spending time outdoors. Even better if it was with his boys. He was an amazing fisherman. If anyone could catch a fish it was Jerry. He made friends easily and was often the life of the party, known for his quick wit and welcoming smile. Before the onset of his health problems from a very severe stroke. Jerry loved playing Santa Claus for his local community. Throughout the year, he collected small gifts to present to underprivileged children in the community who visited him while playing Santa. He loved bringing joy and laughter to their faces, or anyone he met.

Jerry began life with a significant challenge. He was born with clubbed feet and doctors initially recommended amputation. His parents refused and instead pursued other corrective treatments. Those treatments allowed him to pursue a somewhat normal life to the outside world, but internally, he endured extreme pain. Jerry wouldn’t allow it to stop him and he would put on his best face, wipe away the tears of pain and step outside to take on the world. Through determination and resilience, Jerry fought through those obstacles and tried to enjoy everything. He wrote in his class reunion catch up: It took him 40 years to get here and he now enjoys everything and anything and will continue to when he retires.

Jerry will be remembered for his kindness, humor, generosity, and the genuine warmth he shared with everyone he met.

Services will be held on February 6 at 10:30 a.m. at Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Commerce City, Colorado.