Jerry Jay Hudson

Jerry Hudson of Collins died on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at his farm in rural Collins. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 11, at Bethany United Church of Christ in rural Baxter. Please join the family at the Baxter Community Center immediately following the service for a luncheon and fellowship. Memorials may be left in Jerry’s name (payable to Mark Hudson) at Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory or at Bethany Church on the day of the service.

Jerry Hudson, son of Theodore and Lois (Swalwell) Hudson, was born on August 21, 1941, at his grandmother’s home in Maxwell, Iowa. He grew up in rural Collins, learning to farm with a team of horses and enjoying hunting the surrounding hills and timbers. On October 25, 1959, he married his high school sweetheart, Katherine (Kathie) Breer, at Ashton Chapel in rural Mingo. They made their home in the Collins area for over 60 years, working together, loving each other, and raising a family. Included in the family circle are their children, Christine (Hudson) and Tenny Hinshaw of Kellogg, Mark and Diane (Deeter) Hudson of Collins, and Joseph and Bertha Hudson of Zambia. Jerry wrote, “All together they have given me 12 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. I think I have had the most fun with the grandchildren.”

Jerry attended Collins Community Schools throughout his high school years and many years later studied to obtain his bachelor’s degree in theology – Full Gospel Ministerial Ordination. He believed learning was a lifelong adventure and fueled his avid curiosity by taking additional college education courses in many subjects, including art, gun smithing, woodworking, machine shop, and aviation flight school – he flew a Mooney Cadet. Due to his education and versatile skill set, he found opportunities in many varied occupations over the years, working at different times as a farmer, ranch hand, carpenter, factory laborer, park ranger, artist, and an ordained minister and Bible teacher. He wrote, “I have enjoyed all the different jobs I have done, but most of all, I have enjoyed the acquaintances and friends I have met along the way.”

Jerry was an avid outdoorsman and naturalist, studying the patterns of wildlife and spending hours hunting in all kinds of weather. It was said he knew the name of every tree growing in the 40 acres adjoining his home on Hominy Ridge. He wrote, “I am grateful to have grown up in rural Iowa. It is a gift to have such a great opportunity to learn practical life skills and get plenty of hands-on work experience. It is a gift to have open spaces and time outdoors for hunting and fishing and just thinking. It is a blessing to be so close to the land.”

He wrote this message: “It is always fun to look back and remember where you have been and what you have accomplished, but life still goes on. It’s more important to look forward -to where you are going…John 3:16.”

Left to honor Jerry’s memory are his three children, Christine (Tenny) Hinshaw of Kellogg, Mark (Diane) Hudson of Collins, and Joseph (Bertha) Hudson of Zambia; grandchildren, Rebecca (Chase) Lucas, Ben (Carolyn) Hinshaw, Katie (Nick) Cook, Nate Hinshaw, Brian Hudson, Craig (Kaila) Hudson, Elizabeth Brown, Kimberly Otten, Jeremiah Hudson, Elijah Hudson, Zechariah Hudson, and Joseph Jerry Hudson; his sister-in-law Carol Breer; and 14 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Theodore Hudson and Lois Ann Cross; his wife, Kathie Hudson; his sister, Gay Biery; and his brother, Theodore Hudson, Jr. 

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