Gerald (Jerry) William Landgraf was born in Storm Lake, Iowa to Raymond and Dorothy on September 14, 1944 and passed away in Albuquerque, New Mexico on May 27, 2026.  Jerry gave everything to his work, his community, and his family. When trouble came, he was the person you called. No matter your background, he'd be there for you and stood by you for life.

Jerry was the oldest boy in a family of nine children. He grew up on a farm outside Early, Iowa and served his country as a Sergeant in the United States Army National Guard in the Vietnam War. Those early years made him who he was: hardworking, loyal, and a quiet leader who led by example.

After graduating from Iowa State University, Jerry started his career at Blue Cross Blue Shield. While there, he earned his MBA and discovered that untangling the American healthcare management system was exactly his kind of problem. He had a knack for seeing how things could work better, and before long, was being recruited to build some of the nation's first health management organizations, among them Health Care Horizons, Health Plus, Presbyterian and Cimarron Health Plans.

Jerry never chose the easy path. When healthcare management wasn't complicated enough, he went into commercial real estate, where he played a role in revitalizing Albuquerque's historic Route 66. He also reconnected with his farming roots by investing in New Mexico farm and ranch lands. He lived for his work, content on a Friday night sitting in front of the TV with a bowl of popcorn and a spreadsheet on his lap.

Jerry gave generously of his time to causes he valued. He served on the boards of the UNM Hospital Foundation, the National Dance Institute (NDI) and the Balloon Museum Foundation. He was also active in United Way and a member of Our Lady of the Annunciation Parish. He loved the arts and supported them throughout his life.

For all he built and all he gave to his community, some of Jerry's best hours were the simplest ones: a game of "Garbage" with family, a puzzle spread across the kitchen table, or the annual New Year's shrimp fest. He was adored by his children and grandchildren, and though he never let them win at cards, he loved to teach them how to wiggle their ears. 

His commitment to his Iowa family was steadfast. Every winter, without exception, he found his way back to Iowa for the Landgraf Family Christmas. Every other summer, he made the trip to Lake Okoboji, where the extended family has gathered for over 80 years.

Jerry is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Barbara; three children, Donna and grandchildren, Nicklaus and wife, Madyson and great grandchild, Samara, and Noah; Laura and husband, Ben and grandchildren, Alivia, Anderson and Elliot; Aaron and wife, Erin and grandchildren, Henry and Annabelle; and his siblings Julie, Paula, Tom, John, Carol and hundreds of loving relatives. He is reunited in heaven with his parents, Raymond and Dorothy; his son William (Bill); and his siblings Sue, Anne, and Kathy.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, June 26 at 10:00 AM at Our Lady of the Annunciation Church (2621 Vermont St. NE) in Albuquerque. A Celebration of Life will follow at the Anderson Abruzzo International Balloon Museum (9201 Balloon Museum Drive NE) from 12:00 to 3:00 PM.  A Military Graveside Service with full military honors will be held on Friday, July 17, at 11:00 AM at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Adel, Iowa.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the National Dance Institute (NDI), United Way or Albuquerque's Anderson Abruzzo International Balloon Museum Foundation, three organizations Jerry supported and believed in deeply.