GERALD ?JERRY? F. VORTHERMS, age 69, of Worthington, died Tuesday, May 12, 2009 at the Sanford Hospice Sunset Cottage in Worthington. He was born April 28, 1940 in LeMars, IA, to Isabella (Vortherms) Hemmen. Jerry grew up and attended school in Grandville, IA. He then moved with his family to rural Reading and farmed with his father, attending school in Worthington. In 1961, Jerry enlisted in the U.S. Army. In 1964 he was honorably discharged and came back to rural Reading. He drove gravel truck for Ray Engelson for a year. Jerry then began working for Great Plains Gas Company in Worthington. On August 22, 1970, he married Joyce I. Nelson at St. Mary?s Catholic Church in Worthington. The couple made their home in Worthington. In 1975 Gerald started farming again with his father and his brother and officially retired this spring. He was a member of St. Mary?s Catholic Church, Captain of his usher team and a member of the American Legion in Worthington. Gerald enjoyed woodworking and farming. He also loved to play Santa Claus at We Care Day Care in Worthington. Jerry is survived by his wife, Joyce Vortherms, Worthington; three children, Wesley Vortherms, Sioux Valley; Brenda (Donnie) Andrews, Sparta, TN; and Jason Vortherms, Worthington; four grandchildren, Kelly and Kacy Vortherms and Gunner and Logan Green, sister, Clarice (Bill) Pratt, Worthington, MN; and brother, Eldon (Sharon) Hemmen, Reading, MN. He was preceded in death by his parents. Visitation will be Thursday from 4-8 pm, with parish prayers at 7:30 pm, at the Dingmann Funeral Home in Worthington. Visitation also from 9:30 to 10:15 am Friday at the funeral home. Funeral will be Friday at 10:30 am at St. Mary Catholic Church in Worthington. Burial will be at St. Mary Cemetery. To view an online obituary or a video tribute, please visit www.dingmannandsons.com