Obituaries

Trey Jackson, age 28 of Mount Horeb, WI, passed away on Tuesday, October 3, 2023, at his home in Mount Horeb. Trey Daniel Jackson was born on May 16, 1995, to parents Keith Jackson and Julie Thelen Jackson now Gerdes, in Ames, IA. He was baptized at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Vail, IA and confirmed at Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart Catholic Church in Ankeny, IA. Trey was raised most of his life in Ankeny and graduated with the class of 2013.He played the saxophone and was an avid member of the jazz and marching band. Trey was proud to be a founding member of the Ankeny Rugby team and was happy to see their program grow. Influenced by his father Keith, Trey became a lifelong fan of the Kansas City Chiefs and the Colorado Avalanche from a young age. After graduating high school he attended Iowa State University where he majored in Animal Science and Ag Business. While a student at ISU, Trey managed the Iowa State sheep farm which he would describe as his pride and joy. He graduated from ISU in 2017.

On August 8th, 2021, after nine years of friendship, Trey married his best friend Carson Stilwill. The couple moved to Wisconsin where Trey worked for Alta Genetics. Most recently Trey was employed by E-Genesis as a farm manager on a swine farm that researched xenotransplantation. During his time there, Trey developed close relationships with his co-workers. He took great pride in the work and research he was a part of. He loved animals and being outside. Trey felt closest to God when he was outside, surrounded by the beauty of nature. His beloved dog Maggie loved going on walks and hikes with him; she was always by his side. If Trey was not in nature, you could find him at Arrowhead Stadium, or stationed to the nearest TV watching the Chiefs or Avalanche play.

Trey was a kind, compassionate, selfless and dedicated young man who will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him. Trey loved his family and friends, which he so proudly told many people about. He leaves behind his parents, Keith and Chantelle Jackson of Ashland, NE, and Julie and David Gerdes of Lake View, IA; siblings Zeke Jackson, Alex Gerdes, Nick Gerdes, and Miranda Gerdes; grandparents Ruth Gerdes, Ed and Virginia Jackson, and Roger and Karen Schulz; great-grandmother Doris Drake; ex-wife Carson Stilwill; best friend Zach Adams; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, other extended family members and a host of friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents Norman and Marleen Thelen, Edward Gerdes, and Deloris Norton; and uncle Jim Thelen.

A Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wall Lake, IA. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Friday, October 6, 2023 at Farber & Otteman Funeral Home in Lake View, IA. Burial will take place at Wall Lake Cemetery at a later date.