John "Jack" Ericksen Mommer

John “Jack” Ericksen Mommer, 73, died May 28th, 2014, at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics in Iowa City after a 22 year battle with cancer. Jack was born April 5, 1941 in Cedar Falls, Iowa to Russell Ernest Mommer and Lois Irene Ericksen. He graduated from Dike High School in 1958 and served as an Airman First Class in the United States Air Force from 1962-1966. After his honorable discharge, Jack continued to be active in his community and in Veterans organizations in Iowa. On September 1st, 1973 he married Mary Elizabeth Voss in Cedar Falls, IA and the two enjoyed a marriage of 40 years and the birth of eight children. In addition to running a family farm in Dike, Iowa, they started the Oak Highlands Waterpark and Ski Hill in Waverly, IA. Jack served as the Commander of The Dike Iowa Legion Post 471, Veterans Affairs Commissioner for Grundy County, American Legion District Vice Commander for the 3rd District and was a member of the "40 & 8" Veterans Organization. As a result, he actively served thousands of returning Veterans. Jack was also very active in his local community. He helped to re-start the Boy Scout Pack 108, direct the Iowa Boys State selection committee, and judge the 5th grade Flag Essay Contest for Grundy County inspiring the youngest generation. He is survived by his wife, Mary; his sons Eric Bartlett of Clive, Iowa; Jasen Mommer of Maui, Hawaii; Casey Mommer of Windermere, Florida; Peter Mommer of Basseterre Saint Kitts and Nevis, West Indies; Brett Mommer of Liège, Belgium; John Mommer II of Windermere, Florida; his daughters Erin Fernández-Mommer of Renton, Washington; Kristi Druvenga of Oelwein, Iowa; Shannon Mommer-Singh of Fargo, North Dakota; eight grandchildren; and sisters Billielee Mommer of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico and Jill Fisher of Cedar Falls, Iowa. Jack was preceded in death by his infant child, Ericksen and his parents Russell and Lois. His Family writes, “To be a Jack is to be a wise man but think of yourself as a dumb farmer, recall stories to exacting detail but spend none of that energy holding grudges, see losing your sense of smell as a chance to include more skunks in your practical jokes, or down-time in a tractor as a chance to call the local radio station to crow like a rooster or yodel like a von Trapp. To be a Jack is to treat a perfect stranger as a long-lost friend and a son or daughter as a greater version of themselves, to know that strangers and sons and daughters alike will rise to the occasion and forget why they doubted themselves in the first place. And a Jack will not expect any credit for it. Most of all to be a Jack is to be all of those things, but then to look at your reflection and see just a man. While his life on Earth is over, his influence is sure to ripple through time for generations to come. May we all follow his example and aspire to be more like a Jack” Services will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday at Fredsville Lutheran Church, rural Cedar Falls, with burial in the church Cemetery. Military Honors will be conducted by the Dike American Legion Post #471. Family will receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday at the church, where there will be a 7 p.m. public Masonic Service. Richardson Funeral Service is assisting the family. Donations to Jack’s memorial fund can be directed to The Honor Flight.

John "Jack" Ericksen Mommer

April 5, 1941 - May 28, 2014