Jerald Hemeyer

Funeral services for Jerry Hemeyer were held on Saturday, November 13, 2021, at 10:30 a.m., at the St. John Lutheran Church in Gregory, SD, with Pastor Marcus Ring officiating.

Music was provided by Melanie Hannahs, organist, and Jerry’s nieces were in charge of registration.

Casket bearers were Matt Wiederrich, Lawron Bohr, Eric Norden, Jeff Norden, Doug Walz and Marv Braun. Honorary casket bearers were Jerry’s friend at South Dakota Association of Rural Water Systems. Burial, with military honors, was in the

Burial, with military honors, was in the Pleasant View Cemetery in Tripp, SD. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Jerald (Jerry) Lynn Hemeyer was born on July 1, 1952, in Mitchell, SD, to Clarence (Bud) and Maxine (Kenyon) Hemeyer. Jerry grew up on a farm near Stickney, SD, and graduated from

Jerry grew up on a farm near Stickney, SD, and graduated from Stickney High School in 1970. On April 27, 1985, Jerry married Julie Schnabel at Emmaus Lutheran Church in Tripp, SD. Added to this union were three children, Heather, Kyle, and Carrie. Family meant everything to Jerry, and he made every effort to support his kids in all of their activities.

In 1991, Jerry started his decorated 27 year career as the Wastewater Technician for South Dakota Association of Rural Water Systems, where he enjoyed traveling the state helping small towns with wastewater issues. He enjoyed his career and made many great friends from across the state. Jerry also served many different roles in the Gregory community. He served as a city councilor, a member of the Gregory Athletic Club, a volunteer firefighter, and an active member of St. John Lutheran Church.

Jerry had many hobbies. He enjoyed helping neighbors, and could fix just about anything. Jerry enjoyed hunting with his kids, umpiring and watching baseball, fishing with his kids and grandkids, woodworking, and adventuring with Julie in the Black Hills with their side-by-side. He also was an avid supporter of the Gregory Gorillas and Burke-Gregory Storm wrestling team.

He passed away on November 3, 2021, at the age of 69, after a battle with cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer).

Jerry is survived by his wife of 36 years, Julie, and their three children: Heather (Warren) Bender of Pickstown, SD; Kyle (Megan) Hemeyer of Aberdeen, SD; Carrie (André) Zachariahs of Sioux Falls, SD; six grandchildren: JeriAnn and Paetyn Bender, Israel, Theodore, Elijah and Oliver Zachariahs; one sister, Gwen (Gerrit) Norden of Corsica, SD; one brother, Bert Hemeyer of Sioux Falls, SD; one brother-in-law, Larry Bohr, of Pierre, SD; and many nieces, nephews, neighbors, and friends.

He was preceded in death by an unborn child; his parents, Maxine and Clarence (Bud) Hemeyer; a brother, Stanley Hemeyer; a sister, Lila (Hemeyer) Bohr; and in-laws, Maynard and Wilma Schnabel.