Jack Kretzinger

Jack Kretzinger, age 88, of Corning, Iowa, passed away at his home on February 6, 2024.   Funeral Services will be 11:00 A.M., Saturday, February 10, 2024 at Pearson Family Funeral Service & Cremation Center, Corning, Iowa.  Mr. Larry Johnson will officiate.  Burial will be in the Oak Hill Cemetery, Corning, Iowa.  Open visitation will be 3:00 – 7:00 P.M., with family receiving friends 5:00 – 7:00 P.M., Friday, February 9, 2024, at the funeral home.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to CHI Health Foundation, Prescott Fire & Rescue, and/or Corning Volunteer Fire Department.  Memories and on-line condolences may be left at www.pearsonfuneralhomes.com.

Jack was born east of Corning on August 20, 1935, to Mark (Mike) and Florence Kretzinger (Miller). He was the youngest of six kids. Jack attended country school in Adams County. Jack met Janice in high school, and they were married on June 10, 1953. Jack and Janice were blessed with three children, Jacquelin, Mona, and Dan. They celebrated 70 years of marriage last June.

Jack and Janice lived in the Corning area after they were married, and he continued farming with his dad. They later purchased the current family farm. He raised cattle, hogs, and crops, and in his later years enjoyed still being the boss from his gator or minivan while the guys were in the field. 

In the early 1960’s, Jack started thinking he wanted to do something in addition to farming. He wanted to become an auctioneer. At that time, he did not have the $150 to go to auctioneer school so he started practicing as he farmed. He then started working as a ringman and quickly found success as he began auctioneering and working at thirteen sale barns across Southwest Iowa and Northwest Missouri. Working at the barns with his auctioneer friends were some of his best times. His first time of auctioneering was in Orient, Iowa, selling a gallon of paint. 

Jack loved working sales and made many good friends along the way. He never knew a stranger and loved visiting with his friends new and old. In 1962, Kretzinger Auction Company was created, where he worked alongside his entire family. Jack and Janice ran this business together with their children, daughter in-law, son in-law and grandsons. Jack loved the auction business and was proud to work alongside his family, serving people throughout Southwest Iowa selling farm equipment, household items and land.  

Jack will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and neighbors. He is preceded in death by his daughter, Jacquelin, grandparents, parents, and siblings. Jack is survived by his loving wife, Janice, daughter, Mona (Terry) Douglas and son, Dan (Terri) Kretzinger, all of Corning, IA. He is also survived by his six grandchildren, Tanya, Tony, Tracy, Jack, Stacie, Stephanie, and thirteen great grandchildren.