Jerry Simunek

Graveside services with military honors were held for Jerry Michael Simunek, age 74, of Hot Springs, SD, at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, August 1, 2025, at Highland Cemetery South on Highway 71 near the Wild Horse Sanctuary near Hot Springs, SD, where he was interred. Chamberlain McColley Funeral Homes of Hot Springs was in charge of arrangements. Mike was born September 21, 1950, in Gregory, SD, to Jerry Ralph and Clara Marie (Hotz) Simunek. He shared his life in Gregory with his siblings, Larry, Sharon, Shirley, Cathy and David. Mike graduated from Gregory High School in 1968. After graduating, Mike moved to Omaha, NE, to work briefly as a forklift operator for the Campbell Soup Company before enlisting to serve his country in the United States Army where he became a motor Sergeant during his tour in Vietnam. Upon his return to the States, Specialist 5 Simunek met the love of his life, Jan Elizabeth Bartling.

Mike and Jan were married June 5, 1971, in Burke, SD. For a time they returned to Ft. Sill, OK, where Mike was stationed. After Mike’s honorable discharge from the Army, they moved back to Omaha, and Mike worked as a letter carrier for the USPS.

Moving back to South Dakota, Mike apprenticed at Zimmerman Hardware in Colome, SD, and became a licensed electrician and plumber through the GI Bill. He eventually started his own business in Colome, Simunek Electric. He served on the Colome City Council, and was a member of the VFW, American Legion, and Jaycees.

Mike and Jan welcomed three little ones into their lives: Grant, Elizabeth, and Cydnie. They always loved the Black Hills, so in 1981, when opportunity presented itself, they moved their little family to Hot Springs, SD, where they worked together to build their first home in Hot Brook Canyon.

Mike found employment with Hills Materials Co., eventually becoming one of their aggregate production managers, managing the crusher operation. He was certified by ATF, MSHA, and DENR and was a member of the Society of Blasting Engineers.

Mike and Jan later moved to town while their daughters attended high school and from there to south of town to build their forever retirement home. After deciding he had “chased enough snakes” Mike retired from the work force to enjoy time in his shop. He enjoyed visits from the grandchildren and spending time at the lake, pulling them on the tube with his pontoon. He also enjoyed camping, fishing, and boating with Jan, especially their long morning walks together.

In his retirement he volunteered and served on the Pineshadows Road District for eight years and supervised road maintenance for them for 15 years.

Jerry “Mike” Simunek passed away on May 31, 2025. He is survived by his wife Jan; daughters Elizabeth (Glen) Peterson of Golden CO. and Cydnie (Tim) Duffy of Loveland CO; brothers Larry Simunek and David Simunek of Rapid City, SD; sister Shirley (Larry) Brown of Omaha, NE; sisters-in-law Sherri Raschke of Burke, SD, Laurie (Douglas) Wernke of Lennox, SD, and Krista (Dean) Holliday of Orchard, NE; brothersin- law Bart (Julie) Bartling of Gregory, SD, and Matthew Bartling of Herrick, SD, and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his son Grant Edward, his parents and grandparents, his sisters Sharon Barney and Cathy Aeschlimann, and his brother-in-law Jay Bartling.