Gerald Lee Rome

Gerald (Jerry) Lee Rome, age 74, of Arvada, CO was born to August and Barbara (Rohr) Rome in Colby, KS on July 30, 1943. Jerry had an infectious laugh and was well loved by family and friends. He was close with his many siblings, nieces and nephews, and in-laws, and he would often be found on the phone chatting with them for hours.

Survived by his wife, Virginia Kruse Rome; children, John Rome, Rick Rome and Lynnae Rome (Steven Cleveland); brothers Eugene (Jeannine), Bill (Judy) and Greg (Linda); sisters Dorothy Trommeter and Betty Grafel.

He is preceded in death by his parents August and Barbara; brothers Leo and Don; sister Barbara Jean.

In early childhood, Jerry lived in Selden, Kansas with his parents and worked in the family grocery store. Beginning at age 12, he spent summers with his sister and brother-in-law, Betty and Wayne Grafel. He further developed his incredible work ethic while working on their farm in Culbertson, Nebraska. He also enjoyed fishing and hunting and getting into a bit of mischief with neighbors and friends during his leisure time. As a young man, he worked as a meat cutter in McCook, Nebraska.

In 1964, he married Virginia Kruse and started a family. He worked in the family grocery business where his parents had relocated in Denver and Gunnison, Colorado. He became a master butcher, working for meat packing plants in Denver. He later founded Rome’s Sausage Company in Denver, serving many restaurants and retail stores in Colorado, Kansas and New Mexico. Retail customers would make cross-country treks to buy cases of sausage to take home, and Jerry made sure that they each had his personal mobile number to make their orders. He taught his children a love of good food and cooking. He was always in the kitchen, feeding family and friends at countless special events and celebrations.

Jerry had an extraordinary devotion to Our Lady of Fatima and found great comfort in saying the Rosary on a regular basis.

He passed away on March 1, 2018 at Collier Hospice Center in Lakewood, CO following a prolonged illness.

If you plan to attend the traditional Catholic funeral mass at Our Lady of the Snow, please observe the dress code and traditions found on the church website. http://ourladyofthesnow.net/

Reception will follow at Our Lady of the Snow at 1:00 pm, where all are welcome to celebrate Jerry’s life.

As an alternative to sending flowers, the family suggests donations to:

Our Lady of the Snow

4101 Lamar St,

Wheatridge, CO 80033

or Mother Cabrini Shrine http://www.mothercabrinishrine.org/ways-to-give

Please leave your love for the family by using our on line guest book.