Jerry Surls Endowed Scholarship

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​Gerald L. Surls (Jerry) was born and raised in Iowa Falls, Iowa, graduating from Iowa Falls High School. During his high school years, he was active in baseball, basketball, football, music, and was president of his senior class. He majored in pre-mortuary science and played basketball at Ellsworth College. He graduated from the University of Minnesota School of Mortuary Science and served two years of apprenticeship with his uncle, C. G. Scott, at Alden, Iowa. From October 9, 1951 until September 19, 1953, Jerry served in the U.S. Army in Germany as a medic during the Korean Conflict.
Jerry was affiliated with the Scott Funeral Home in Alden for many years. He bought the Alden business in 1968 and purchased the Anderson Funeral Home in Iowa Falls in 1972. He passed away suddenly on January 9, 1983. The First United Methodist Church was filled with friends paying homage to the man who had comforted so many in their personal times of grief. In a touching tribute, the pastor in charge made reference to the loss of the shepherd whom before had always been present to minister to the flock.
On August 1, 1954, he married Patricia Clabaugh from Webster City, Iowa. They had two children, Curtis, an attorney in Santa Monica, California, and Courtney Surls Caylor, Director of Foundations and Corporate Relations at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. There are two grandchildren.
Jerry and Pat were very visible and active members of the community participating in the activities of the Iowa Falls Lion’s Club, the First United Methodist Church, Highland Country Club and several other organizations.
Following Jerry’s passing, Pat returned to college and completed a master’s degree in counseling and student personal services. She served with distinction in that capacity at Ellsworth Community College from 1987 to 1992. She was particularly sensitive to the needs of non-traditional and minority students. Pat, and the many friends of the family, established this endowed scholarship in Jerry’s memory reflecting both Jerry and Pat’s interest in mortuary science and non-traditional students.