Jerome Frances Sokolik, 93, of Davenport, Iowa, and formerly of Fort Madison, Iowa, died peacefully on April 23, 2021. As in life, Jerome was surrounded by his wife Bernice and his large and loving family at his passing.
Jerome was born March 21, 1928, in Lakefield, Minnesota, the youngest son of John and Bessie (Pribyl) Sokolik. At age 12, his family moved to Fort Madison, Iowa where he later worked at the former Sacred Heart Hospital. He was united in marriage to Bernice Kempker on October 1, 1949 in St. Paul, Iowa; they enjoyed more than 71 years of marriage. They raised their eight children in Fort Madison before moving closer to them in the Quad Cities in 2006 .
Jerome was a life-long lover of nature who greatly enjoyed the outdoors, hunting and fishing on the Mississippi, particularly with his sons, nephews and grandchildren. However, Jerome’s primary gift was being a skilled wildlife artist and taxidermist. In pursuit of his artistic goals, Jerome earned a diploma from Northwestern School of Taxidermy in Omaha, Nebraska at age 16 and continued to be a lifelong learner. In 1961, he earned a degree from the Famous Artists School in Wilton, Connecticut. He launched Sokolik Taxidermy in 1971 and enjoyed a long and fulfilling career working with fish, fowl and big game (domestic and exotic). Jerome was an active member of the National Taxidermy Association. He was inducted into the Iowa Taxidermy Hall of Fame in 1999, served a two-year term as the Iowa Association President and another eight years on the board.
Jerome loved observing nature (especially birdwatching), polka dancing, the color red and will be missed by his family whom he dearly loved.
Those left to honor his memory include his loving wife, Bernice Sokolik (Kempker), daughter-in-law Florence Braum (Oak Park, IL), sons Mark (Rita Nafziger), James (Sara), Greg (Gisela), Steven (Janice) of Mt. Prospect, Tom (LeAnn); daughters Mary Kershner and Pamela (Mike) Brown; brother-in-law Richard Helling (New Hampton); sister-in-law Barbara Kempker (Fort Madison), sister-in-law and brother-in-law Dorothy (Kempker) and Mark Pollpeter (West Point); ten grandchildren, two step-grandchildren; five great grandchildren, four step great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Jerome was preceded in death by his parents, his eldest son Michael, his siblings and in laws Martha and Eugene Misener (Brainerd, MN), Edward and Mary Sokolik (Des Moines ), John and Rita Sokolik (Fort Madison), Ann Kempker Helling, (New Hampton), Robert Kempker (Fort Madison), Dennis and Jane Kempker (St. Paul).
Family will greet visitors Tuesday evening, April 27 from 4-6 p.m. at Runge Mortuary, 838 E Kimberly Road, Davenport, IA 52807. Mass will be offered at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 28 at Lourdes Catholic Church in Bettendorf, 1506 Brown Street, Bettendorf, IA 52722. COVID 19 protocols of masking and social distancing will be in place and respected. Private burial at Davenport Memorial Park will be scheduled at a later date.
The family wishes to thank the staff of Trinity Medical Center in Bettendorf for their gentle care in accommodating the family
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Up with Families, an organization that supports families with special needs. www.upwithfamiliesdavenport.com.
