Gerald “Jerry” Eugene Boldra, 75, Valley Falls, passed away Wednesday, May 1, 2013, at his home. He was born on April 5, 1938, at Topeka, the son of Carl Sterling and Thelma Carson Boldra. He attended Highland Park Elementary School, Six Mile School and graduated from Auburn High School in 1956. He served seven and one-half years in the Kansas Army National Guard. Jerry had worked as a heavy equipment operator for Local 101 Operating Engineers for 40 years. He retired on April 5, 1998 and was the treasurer for the Local 101 Retirees Club. Before to moving to Valley Falls, he had lived in Topeka, Auburn and St. Joseph, MO. He married Karen A. Hanson, on Feb. 9, 1960, at Topeka. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Robert D. Boldra, and two granddaughters, Jessica Sapata and Molly Sapata. Survivors include his wife, Karen, of the home; a son, Gary (Krista) Boldra, Valley Falls; two daughters Thelma (Joseph) Sapata and Tina (Don) Loyd, all of Topeka; a brother, Carl (Sue) Boldra, Hays; nine grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and many nephews and nieces. The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 4, 2013, at the Auburn United Methodist Church, 240 E 8th St., Auburn, KS. Burial will follow at the Auburn Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Friday, at Mercer Funeral Home in Valley Falls. Memorial contributions may be made to American Diabetes Association or to Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Association and sent in care of the funeral home, PO Box 6, Valley Falls, KS 66088.