Elmer “Bud” Jaeger, 90, of Leesburg, FL, formerly of Camanche, IA, and Morrison, IL, died Thursday, February 20, 2025, at MercyOne Medical Center in Clinton, IA.
Bud was born April 3, 1934, in Balltown, IA, to Nicholas and Irene (Thomas) Jaeger. He honorably served in the 4th United States Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict from April 1951 to April 1954. On December 10, 1997, he married Beverly Jean Huizenga in Clinton, IA. They shared their lives for over 25 years, until her passing on July 29, 2023. Bud worked as a Machinist for Case IH, before taking a position at the Rock Island Arsenal. From 1974 to 1983, he pursued farming in Michigan. Later, he established and operated Bud Jaeger Trucking Company. In his free time, Bud was an avid Woodworker and enjoyed collecting Marine and Korean Conflict memorabilia.
Survivors include his daughters, Patricia (Richard) Sheppard of Silvis, IL, Rita (Robert) Tomkins of Silvis, IL, Lynn (Jeff) Lamson of Baraga, MI, and Paula Jaeger of Davenport, IA; sons, Richard Jaeger of Morrison and James (Wendy) Jaeger of Dubuque, IA; stepdaughter, Renee Housenga-Johnson of Clinton; stepsons, Shane (Jennifer) Housenga and Darin (Dawn) Housenga both of Morrison; 17 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; sister, Madonna Bauer Gudenkauf of Dubuque, IA; stepsister, Sandy Schmitt Rolwes of Dubuque, IA.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Beverly; granddaughter, Melissa Sheppard-Nelson; grandson, Alex Johnson; sisters, Helen Leibfried and Vivian A. Ruden; stepmother, Stella Hefel Jaeger.
A visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 PM on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at the Fulton Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral Home in Fulton, IL. Cremation rites will be accorded following the visitation, and a private family graveside service will take place at Rock Island National Cemetery in Rock Island, officiated by Pastor Tony Liston of Adventure Christian Community in Davenport, IA.