Jerome W. Dutenhafer, 81, of Rockford passed away Tuesday May 3, 2022 due to Cancer Treatment Complications. Jerome was born in Rugby, N.D. on November 16, 1940, the son of Frank and Barbara (Wolfe) Dutenhafer. He married Carolyn Warren on December 15, 1962. Jerome was a tool and die maker for National Lock and then for Modern Metal. He was a very devote Catholic attending St. Patrick Catholic Church and then St. Bernadette Catholic Church. He worked on the family dairy farm with his brothers in North Dakota when he was growing up. Jerome loved to build things with his hands such as a swing set, a motorized merry-go-round and help re-build his daughters house after a fire destroyed it. He loved to tinker with classic cars and was considered a “Jack of all Trades”. Jerome loved to work in his garden, watch classic westerns and was an avid Chicago Bears Fan. His greatest passion was taking care of his wife Carolyn and his “Little Man” Chase.
Jerome is survived by his wife Carolyn; children: Sheila Santiago, Renee (Tom) Adams, Troy Dutenhafer, Michelle (David) Morrison and Lisa Dutenhafer; 7 grandchildren: April, Ashley, Heather, Jaime, Taylor, Chase and Aubrey; 12 great-grandchildren: Alan, Alexis, Chevelle, Arwen, Leif, Saga, Ivan, Christopher, Elizabeth, Carson, Micha and Aden; sister Carol Beaver; brothers John and Fritz Dutenhafer. His parents, grandson Jason and 12 siblings preceded Jerome in death.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the family.
Service to celebrate Jerome’s life will be 2:00 PM on Tuesday May 10, 2022 at Sunset Funeral Home 8800 N. Alpine Road in Machesney Park; visitation for Jerome will be from 1:00 PM until time of service. Entombment will follow in Chapel of Love at Sunset Memorial Gardens.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.sunsetfhmemgardens.com for the Dutenhafer family.
