- Born on: May 29, 1980
- Departed on: July 7, 2020
- Resided in: Wapello, IA
Jarin "Bear" Michael Gerst
Jarin “Bear” Michael Gerst, age 40 of Wapello, died on Tuesday, July 7, 2020 at Great River Medical Center, Burlington, Iowa.
Bear was born May 29, 1980 in Burlington, Iowa to Michael Gerst and Kay Dotson Gerst. He was a big brother to his siblings Justin and Jaime. Bear graduated from Wapello High School in 1999 where he was extremely active in athletics. He participated in basketball, football, baseball and cross country. After graduation, he continued to play rec basketball and slow pitch softball. Bear continued his education at University of Iowa before entering the workforce. He most recently achieved a long time dream of working for the railroad and was employed at Burlington Junction Railway.
Bear enjoyed spending time with family and friends but his children were his real joy. As his children began to play competitive sports, Bear traded in his playing time for something he loved even more...coaching. He had a love for the game like no other. Bear was not just a coach to his players, he cared deeply about each one of them and often attended their school events to support them. He most recently coached girls’ softball for the Monsters organization as a 16U Gold head coach.
Bear is survived by his four children: Parker (10), Lucas (15), Riley (18) of Morning Sun and Tyler Gerst (24) of Burlington and by his grandmother, Bonnie Dotson of Wapello, as well as his parents, siblings and various aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was expecting his first grandson in August.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Judy and Ernie Gerst and maternal grandfather, Lee Dotson.
Services for Bear will be held at the Wapello High School Softball field on July 25, 2020 at 2PM with refreshments to follow at Solid Rock Baptist Church.
In lieu of flowers a memorial fund for his children will be established at the State Bank of Wapello.
Bear was born May 29, 1980 in Burlington, Iowa to Michael Gerst and Kay Dotson Gerst. He was a big brother to his siblings Justin and Jaime. Bear graduated from Wapello High School in 1999 where he was extremely active in athletics. He participated in basketball, football, baseball and cross country. After graduation, he continued to play rec basketball and slow pitch softball. Bear continued his education at University of Iowa before entering the workforce. He most recently achieved a long time dream of working for the railroad and was employed at Burlington Junction Railway.
Bear enjoyed spending time with family and friends but his children were his real joy. As his children began to play competitive sports, Bear traded in his playing time for something he loved even more...coaching. He had a love for the game like no other. Bear was not just a coach to his players, he cared deeply about each one of them and often attended their school events to support them. He most recently coached girls’ softball for the Monsters organization as a 16U Gold head coach.
Bear is survived by his four children: Parker (10), Lucas (15), Riley (18) of Morning Sun and Tyler Gerst (24) of Burlington and by his grandmother, Bonnie Dotson of Wapello, as well as his parents, siblings and various aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was expecting his first grandson in August.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Judy and Ernie Gerst and maternal grandfather, Lee Dotson.
Services for Bear will be held at the Wapello High School Softball field on July 25, 2020 at 2PM with refreshments to follow at Solid Rock Baptist Church.
In lieu of flowers a memorial fund for his children will be established at the State Bank of Wapello.
