Gerald Parshall

Funeral services for Gerald Parshall were held on Saturday, June 1, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home in Gregory, SD. Christina Dagbovie and Sisti Wyrick were in charge of registration. Honorary casket bearers were Bud Brozik, Jon Parshall, Terry Bertelsen, Dominic Parshall, Rick Boyer, Allen Songer, Kevin Caldwell, and Kerry Caldwell. Interment will be in the IOOF Cemetery in Gregory, SD, at a later date. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Gerald (Gene) Parshall was born on March 15, 1957, to Arthur and Vivian (Hannahs) Parshall in Winner, SD. Jerry was the third oldest of eight children. He attended elementary school in Dallas, SD. He completed tenth grade at Gregory High School.

He then went to Washington to visit family, and joined the circus there, which became his true passion. Jerry attended to the elephants, and helped with the props. He enjoyed traveling and seeing many places. His favorite trip was when he went to Canada.

After many years he returned to the Gregory area where he helped as a farm hand, and worked for Heartland Waste and Jim’s Garbage Service.

Jerry was baptized by Pastor Russ Grim at the First Southern Baptist Church along with his mother and brother Richard.

In 2006, he and Copper moved to Sioux Falls, SD. They would always travel back to Gregory to visit family and friends during the holidays and pheasant hunting season.

In 2019, Jerry’s health declined, and he moved into Avantara Salem nursing home in Salem, SD.

In 2022, a week before the tornado demolished the Salem nursing home, he moved to Avantara Norton nursing home in Sioux Falls, SD.

Jerry was a kind and gentle man with a big heart who loved life. He always had a smile, and his laughter was contagious.

He passed away on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at Avantara Norton nursing home in Sioux Falls, SD.

Jerry is survived by brothers Arthur (Cynthia) Parshall of California, and Richard (Polly) Parshall of Gregory, SD; sister-in-law Janet Parshall of Gregory, SD; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, and uncles.

He is preceded in death by his parents; siblings: Patty Jo Parshall, Sharon Parshall, Shirley Parshall, David Parshall, and Sheryl Klein.