A Mass of Christian Burial for Germain “Gerry” Joseph Leber, age 87, of Colome, South Dakota, was held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, July 6, 2026, at St. Isidore Catholic Church in Colome with Fr. Zane Pekron as celebrant.
Music was provided by Janette Shippy, cantor, accompanied by Cindy Sealey on organ. Lectors were Callie Walker and Allison Leber. Ryker DeSmet was the altar server.
Callie Walker and Allison Leber were also in charge of registration. Flower attendants were Delaney Packer, Briana Leber, and Marissa Leber. Casket bearers were Jared Leber, Jad Leber, Tanner Dyk, Kyle Leber, Riley Leber, and Sidney Leber. Honorary casket bearers were Seth Leber, Butch Sellman, Larry Bertram, Steve Mowry, Dennis Hanson, Kenny Katzer, Ronnie Shattuck, Dennis Schenefeld, Geoff Furness, and all his former umpire friends.
Interment was at Colome City Cemetery. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Gerri Leber, son of Gervase “Hank” Leber and Anne (Kippes) Leber, was born November 14, 1938, in Kennewick, Washington. His parents had a fruit farm where they raised grapes and asparagus. Gerry, Shirley, and his parents would cut asparagus until it was time to eat breakfast and head to school.
The family moved back to South Dakota in 1950 to farm several miles west of Hurley, SD. Gerry grew up with nine siblings, and being the oldest son he helped his dad on the farm. Gerry graduated from Hurley High School in 1956. He attended Southern State Teacher’s College in Springfield, South Dakota, receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Arts in 1962. Gerry taught industrial arts, math, and drivers education for six years, spending Saturdays working as a carpenter for an electrician or at the local Gamble’s Store in Bloomfield, Nebraska.
On September 29, 1962, Gerry married Linda Shattuck of Gregory, South Dakota, in Burke, South Dakota. They were married almost 64 years, working together every day and raising their five children. In 1967, he moved the family to Dallas, South Dakota, and began his life of farming and ranching. He raised registered Hereford cattle and prided himself in making sure his crops were free of weeds and planted straight without the use of GPS.
As a family the Lebers enjoyed sports as the kids were all active in school, and summer was filled with baseball and softball. Gerry umpired for 40 years and received an award from the Umpire Association. He was a member of the Colome School District Board of Education and the Mid-Central Educational Cooperative Board in Platte, SD.
Gerry had the gift of gab and enjoyed time spent following the kids, grandkids, and great grandkids.
Gerry passed away on June 30, 2026, in Yankton, SD at the age of 87 years.
Gerry is survived by his wife Linda; four children: Roxane (Doug) Dyk, Jennifer (Larry) Gabriel, Jeff, Steve (Susan) Leber, and daughterin- law Lori Leber; grandchildren Tanner Leber, Marissa Leber, Callie (Thomas) Walker, Trigg Gabriel, Briana Leber, Jared (Ana) Leber, Jad Leber (special friend Sadie), Kyle Leber, Seth Leber, and Allison Leber, Riley Leber (fiancée Alexia), Delaney (Caden) Packer, and Sidney Leber (special friend Tristan); great-grandchildren Evelyn, Tori, and Raelynn Leber; siblings Shirley (Ross) Benson, Hurley, South Dakota, Mary (Dennis) Smith, Davis, South Dakota, Martha (Brick) Wall, Tuscon, Arizona, Mark (Laurie) Leber, Spearfish, South Dakota, and Ruth (Joe) Riggs, Hertford, North Carolina; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father in 1986, his mother in 2004, son David in 2019, and four siblings: Joanne, Jim, Bill and Alan.
