Gerald Kennebeck

May 6, 1945 - November 28, 2021

Gerald “Jerry” Kennebeck passed away on the morning of November 28, 2021 at the age of 76 in Tampa, Florida. His battle with serious medical issues throughout his adult life showed his courage in facing challenges with a smile. Despite the pain, Jerry stayed strong until the end.  A private funeral mass will be held.   Jerry was born on May 6, 1945, in Carroll, Iowa, to Albert and Dorothy (Staiert) Kennebeck. He married and moved back to the family farm in 1966 where he had four children. He farmed until 1973 when fate stepped in and medically retired him into his next profession as a corporate insurance inspector.     Moving to Omaha, Nebraska and raising four boys, Jerry spent his time working on garage projects, tending a large garden, and watching Johnny Carson and Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom. In 1995, the same year his father passed away, fate again changed Jerry’s destiny, ultimately taking him to Tampa, Florida where he lived for the last twenty years. Known for his ability to eat 15 pancakes, his love of monster trucks, and the occasional spontaneous dance, Jerry was beloved by his roommates in his assisted living home.      Jerry is survived by his four children: Christopher Kennebeck of Tacoma, Washington; Martin Kennebeck of Herndon, Virginia; Scott Kennebeck of Mountain Home, Arkansas; and Jeremy Kennebeck of Tampa, Florida. He is survived by Martin’s daughters, Lauren and Lindsey Kennebeck, and Chris’ son, Seth Kennebeck. He is survived by siblings Elizabeth and Ronald Lansink of Danbury, Iowa; Leon and Donna Kennebeck of Panora, Iowa; Lois and George Drey of Des Moines, Iowa; and Mary and Richard Spanheimer of Omaha, Nebraska.  Jerry was preceded in death by his parents Albert and Dorothy Kennebeck, and his siblings in infancy, Joseph and Mary Carlene Kennebeck.