May 11, 2010 ~ June 1, 2013

Braeden James Anderson, 3, of Brandon, was taken Home to Jesus, unexpectedly Saturday, June 1, 2013, at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls.

Visitation will be 5:00-7:00 PM, Wednesday, June 5, 2013, at Heartland Funeral Home. Celebration of Braeden’s life will begin at 10 AM, Thursday, June 6 at Celebrate Community Church (Sycamore location) in Sioux Falls. Interment will follow at Brandon Lutheran Cemetery, Brandon.

Braeden James Anderson was born May 11, 2010, in Sioux Falls, to Mike and Christy Anderson. He was the “little miracle” doctors said was not possible. Braeden was 100% purebred all boy. He was daring and had no fear. If he tumbled and scraped his knee, he brushed it off and went on playing. He wrestled in the living room with Daddy and his brother Ethan all the time; while, being the best little helper a Mommy could ever have. Braeden had a love of trucks and cars, sports (or rather anything that ended with “-ball”), Avenger action heroes, WWE wrestlers, peanut butter sandwiches, his blankie and his thumb, and of course anything that belonged to one of his siblings. He often would take his brother’s Kindle or DS and hide in a corner, playing it. If you couldn’t find it, you knew he was the last one to have it. If it was unusually quiet in the house and he was nowhere to be found, you could either find him hunkered down in the pantry with the door closed behind him or around the corner in the laundry room with the lights out scarfing down snacks.

The Lion King and Iron Man were Braeden’s favorite movies and he would make his family all watch them over and over and over and over again to the point where they all could recite the words themselves. Every morning they watched Mickey Mouse Clubhouse; ”Mommy Mickey Mou, Mommy Mickey Mou!”

He was becoming quite a little cowboy calling out for the horses, Pride and Confederate, at Cowboy Grandma and Grandpa’s. Contrary to what you think a typical boy would play with, he loved dressing the paper dolls at Mama and Papa’s. He often lined up his cars in a row around the coffee table at Grandma Karen’s. He has many works of art that adorn the walls of all who loved him. He had just started learning how to ride his trike and was so proud of his accomplishment. His smile and his big bright eyes could light up a room. That smile was infectious.

He was dedicated by his parents to know, love, and serve the Lord on January 5, 2013 at Celebrate Community Church.

“Braeden, we are certain that as we held you and you closed your eyes here for the last time, you woke up in the arms of Jesus. We know you are more alive in Heaven than you have ever been. Teach Jesus how to line up cars, call horses, and dress paper dolls. Play every day in Heaven until we see you again.”
Love, Mommy & Daddy

Braeden will be deeply missed by his parents, Mike and Christy (Lamis) Anderson; four siblings, Kaleb, Ethan, Daysha, and Emma; Grandparents, Nancy and Jim Volk, Brandon, Karen M. Anderson, Sioux Falls, and Jim and Jan Lamis, Colman; Auntie Kimmie & Uncle John and Uncle James & Shannyn; Great-Grandma Lina Lamis, Sioux Falls; and a large extended family.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Braeden’s memory.

May 2, 1966 ~ May 8, 2013

Daniel Jay Dammer, 47, of Sioux Falls, went to be with Jesus, his Lord and Savior, after losing his battle with Esophageal Cancer on Wednesday, May 8, 2013, at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls.

Visitation and funeral services will be held at Celebrate Community Church main campus in Sioux Falls at 16th & Sycamore Avenue.

Visitation will be held Monday, May 13, 2013, from 7-9 pm at Celebrate Community Church in Sioux Falls. Funeral services will begin at 11:00am, Tuesday, May 14, at Celebrate Community Church with Pastor Keith Loy officiating. Interment will follow at Hills of Rest Cemetery, Sioux Falls.

Daniel J. Dammer was born on May 2, 1966, in Sioux Falls to Carl and Darlene (Rupkalvis) Dammer. He was raised and educated in Sioux Falls for the entirety of his youth. Dan was a 1984 graduate of Lincoln High School. On June 1, 1985, Dan married his high school sweetheart, Angie Brincks. The two of them met while employed at Kentucky Fried Chicken. Their Holy Union was blessed with 4 beautiful children.

Dan was an avid Nebraska Cornhuskers fan and enjoyed taking his family to Lincoln, NE for a game or simply hosting game day football parties at his home. Dan also enjoyed watching NASCAR races with all of his favorite boys. Dan also cherished the memories made on family vacations; he had a special love for the beach. Trips to Disney World were enchanted moments; he loved to see the magic in his family’s eyes. While in high school, Dan picked up the hobby of photography. This passion carried over into his adult life. Capturing every precious moment was important to him.

Dan spent over 35 years in the restaurant industry. Although food was an important part of the business, his true passion was people. He lived to serve those around him. Being with and enjoying family was a priority to Dan. His love for family extended well beyond his nuclear family. He had a true passion and love for all people. Throughout his many years and positions in leadership, he was always a great mentor and teacher and he always had an ear or shoulder for anyone. His love for people was most apparent through his Caring Bridge site which became a type of daily devotional for many. Through his daily writings, Dan ministered to hundreds and brought many to an initial or renewed relationship with Christ. While battling a daunting foe in cancer, spreading God’s Word became his mission and greatest priority. Dan was recently described as a “giant of a man.” This was true about so many aspects of him. He was large in stature, had enormous love for all people, carried the biggest heart of any man, and was a colossal example of what it meant to live life looking out for others.

Dan will be deeply missed by his lovely wife, Angie (of 27 years in marriage); 4 amazing children – Jacob Dammer, Sioux Falls; Lacey and Jason Gervais, and son Chase, Sioux Falls; Gabriel and Grace Dammer, Sioux Falls; His mom and dad, Carl and Darlene Dammer, Sioux Falls; Angie’s parents, Jerry and Jeannie Brincks, Sioux Falls; three brothers, Todd and Nan Dammer, Sioux Falls; Terry Dammer, Sioux Falls; Russ and Kim Dammer, Parker, CO; half-sister Deb Mofle, Chaska, MN; sister, Aimee and Dan Roehrs, San Antonio, TX; & a host of aunts, uncles, and cousins and precious friends.

May 18, 1940 ~ April 27, 2013

Joseph “Joe” F. Garner, 72, Sioux Falls, died Saturday, April 27, 2013, at the Sioux Falls VA Hospital, from lung cancer.

Visitation will begin at 5 pm, Thursday, May 9, 2013, at Heartland Funeral Home, Brandon, with a Memorial services at 6:30pm. Chaplin Karen Hiller will officiate. Full Military Honors will follow.

Joseph Franklin Garner was born May 18, 1940, in Oklahoma City, OK, to Joseph and Velma (Stewart) Garner. He was one of two boys with four sisters. He was educated in Oklahoma until he left for the service during high school. Joe served in the US Army from 1957 to 1960 as a Medical Specialist, Dental Assistant and Medical Assistant. Joe returned to Gillette, WY when he was honorably discharged from the Army as his family had moved there. Joe worked in the oil fields, was a driver to haul pharmaceuticals from Casper, WY to Billings, MT, a 3,000 mile a week trip.

Joe moved to Sioux Falls in 2003 as he felt it was important for Miriam to be back in South Dakota; at home surrounded by her family. He worked for the last six and a half years at the Casey’s General Store on Sycamore Avenue until he became ill. Joe enjoyed his customers and work very much.

Joe is survived by his loving wife, Miriam, Sioux Falls; one son, Vince, Klamath Falls, OR; two step-sons, Jeff (Rhonda) Whempner and Steve Whempner, both of Phoenix, AZ; one step-daughter, Lisa (Charles) Stotz, Dunkirk, MD; seven step-grandchildren; four sisters, Gwen Sullivan, Pine Haven, WY, Sue De Gaugh, Kay (Les) Haight, and Anita William, all of Gillette, WY; and one brother, Mike (Alvina) Garner, of Gillette, WY.

Joe was preceded by his parents in death.

April 30, 1964 ~ April 26, 2013

Cora Mae Gann, 48, Sioux Falls, died Friday April, 26th 2013, at home surrounded by her family, after an amazing fight with illness.

Visitation will begin at 4 pm, Monday, April 29, 2013, at Heartland Funeral Home with family present from 5 until 8 pm. Funeral services will begin at 11 am, Tuesday, April 30, at Heartland Funeral Home, with Muriel Plooster officiating. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Sioux Falls.

Cora Mae Gann was born on April 30, 1964, in Rock Rapids, IA, to Osey and Dona (Overgaard) Gann. Cora loved life and all the beauty it had to offer. She gave so much passion in the things she believed in. She loved butterflies, birds, trees, antiquing, rummaging, sports and going camping, but her main love was her family and friends.
Cora worked at John Morrell for many years and part time at the arena. She then worked at Lamps and Shades as a warehouse manager and continued helping them with what she could up to the present. Whatever she did in life, she worked very hard at.

There was always excitement in Cora’s smile when she could add to her collection of marbles and Coke items. She loved sharing many of these “treasures” with loved ones. Cora would state that she was twice blessed in life because of the people she shared it with.

Throughout her life and despite her illness, Cora was a role model to all of those who were blessed to know her. She enjoyed the simple beauties in life and loved the motto “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning to dance in the rain.”

Cora is survived by her son, Armando (Samantha) Gann; her best friend Beth Connelly and son Travis (Shelbey) Connelly; her foster parents, Jim and Cathy LeDuc, Sioux Falls; five brothers, Tim Gann, TX, Bobbi Gann, TX, Jeff Gann, Sioux City, IA, Charles Gann, Sioux Falls, and Harry Trotter, Sioux City, IA; three sisters, Jeanne Gann, Sioux Falls, Patty Gann, TX, Susie Gann, Sioux City, IA; one sister-in-law, Cammy Bladow; four grandsons who she loved being Grandma to, Damien, Gabriel, Reece and Mathias; Cora emotionally adopted her “girls,” Samantha Ladson and Shelbey Slendy who considered Cora “Mom“. Also special to Cora was the family she found in the Connelly gang, and her Grandsons’ mom, Jamie Gann.

August 13, 1929 ~ April 23, 2013

Kenneth M. Smykle, 83, Valley Springs, died Tuesday, April 23, 2013, at the Sanford Hospice Cottage in Sioux Falls from the effects of Dementia and Lymphoidema.

Visitation will begin at 4pm, Friday, April 26, 2013, at Heartland Funeral Home, with family present from 6:30 to 8pm. Funeral services will begin at 1:30pm, Saturday, April 27, at Heartland Funeral Home with Pastor Richard Gilman officiating. Interment at Beaver Valley Church South Cemetery with full Military Rites will follow.

Kenneth M. Smykle was born August 13, 1929 in Sioux Falls to Art and Dena (Iwerks) Smykle. Along with two sisters, he was raised and educated in Sioux Falls through his sophomore year before he hopped a train and went to Idaho to work in the Forestry Service. In 1947, Ken enlisted in the military to serve in Korea; both in the National Guard and then the Army. Upon his discharge in 1951, he returned to Sioux Falls to work for John Morrell where he worked for 36 years as a meat cutter. Back in 1959, Ken married his sweetheart, Joyce Schnackenbereg in Pipestone MN. They moved to a farm near Chancellor for a while before the family returned to Brandon for 24 years. In 1992, Ken and Joyce purchased and moved to the acreage south of Beaver Valley Church where they still reside. Ken retired at the age of 56 and came home to become the family daycare to grandchildren and his mother-in-law.

Throughout his life, Ken never forgot his patriotic service and duty and was very proud of it. He joined the Sioux Falls VFW and then transferred to Brandon later. He served as the Post Commander and the Quartermaster for Brandon. He also served as the District 2 Commander for SD.

Most of all, Ken enjoyed his family. They spent many weekends together camping with friends from Morrells’ or on hunting trips together. He loved to hunt antelope, deer and pheasant with the boys. He also would bleed blue and orange for the Chicago Bears and cheered on only the Fords of Davey Allison and “Awesome Bill from Dawsonville” Bill Elliott in the Nascar races.

Ken is survived by his wife, Joyce; five children, Clay (Michele) Smykle, Brandon, Deb (Curt) Jasper, Oak Grove, MN, Greg (Yvonne) Smykle, Sioux Falls, Mark (Mindy) Smykle, Akron, IA, and Linda (Joel) Hanson, Valley Springs; twelve grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and one sister, Donna Smelser, Sioux Falls.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Troy; one sister, Lillian and two infant children Michael and Kimberley.

December 5, 1946 ~ April 19, 2013

Gene H. Swanson, 66, Valley Springs, died Friday, April 19, 2013, at the Dougherty Hospice Home in Sioux Falls, from the effects of Agent Orange.

Memorial services will begin at 10 AM, Tuesday, April 23, 2013, at Heritage Lutheran Church of Brandon, with Pastors Jerry Merkouris and Richard Gilman officiating. Full Military Honors will follow. Visitation will begin one hour prior. Private inurnment will take place at a later date at Beaver Valley Lutheran Cemetery.

Gene Howard Swanson was born December 5, 1946, in Sioux Falls to Howard and Dorothy (Rollag) Swanson. He was raised and educated in Valley Springs and graduated from Brandon Valley High School in 1964. He then attended USD until his enlistment in the US Army in 1966 for Viet Nam.

Upon his return and discharge in 1968, he resided in California for approximately 3 years. In January 1970, Gene married Reene Van Beek and their first of three children was born soon after. After experiencing a couple of earthquakes, Gene and his family moved back to Valley Springs, where he worked for Bauma Construction and the Brandon Lumber Yard before accepting the city Maintenance Supt. for Valley Springs in 1977. Gene mowed grass and plowed snow for eighteen years before he retired due to health issues. He also served on the Valley Springs Volunteer Fire Dept. for twenty years, including several as Chief. Gene met his sweetheart, Kathy Tupy, and in 1998, they were married at the Beaver Valley Lutheran Church.

Everyone who knew Gene knew he was a constant joker and loved to tease people. He knew everyone’s name around Valley Springs, their kids, and their parents and where they lived and how long they had lived there. Gene was a very active and busy person who loved to read, hunt, fish, golf, follow Nascar, riding and trial racing motorcycles, playing cards and travel. Road trips to Phoenix or anywhere else were a favorite pastime. Gene was also very proud of his service to his country and enjoyed going to Pierre to view the Viet Nam Memorial. His family was his most loved and prized treasure though. Wednesday nights were family night at his home and everyone came to eat dinner and play cards, Trivial Pursuit or Jeopardy together. “Papa” was also a “snuggler” with the kids and grandkids. The treat was to hop into bed with him and cuddle before going to sleep or when they first awoke in the morning. He was also known by the kids for his distribution of chewing gum.

Gene was a Lifetime member of the SD Fire Chief’s Association, Valley Springs Fire Dept, Valley Springs American Legion, V.F.W. Three Rivers Post 4726 of Brandon, and Spirit of Truth Lutheran Church.

Gene is survived by his wife Kathy; five children, Owen (Deanna) Swanson, Valley Springs, Zach Swanson, Currie, MN, Sony (Nate) Swanson, Garretson, Sarah (Donn) Loe, Willmar, MN, and Kevin (Delena) Tupy, Brandon; and twelve grandchildren, Taia, Curtis, Dominik, Danny, Savannah, Tyler, Molly, Gavin, Caitlin, Dustin, Maxwell, and Reyna; one brother-in-law, Larry Lape, Valley Springs; many special nieces and nephews, and one very special friend and second mother to Gene, Etoyle Aljets.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Randy, and one sister, Kathy Lape.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established.

November 25, 1929 ~ April 8, 2013

John Nels Geisler, age 83, most recently of Valley Springs, died Monday, April 8, 2013 at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.

Memorial services will be held at 10:30 AM, Saturday, April 27, 2013, at Messiah Lutheran Church, Murdo, followed by inurnment at the Murdo Cemetery and lunch at Messiah Lutheran.

He was born in Pasadena, CA, November 25, 1929 to Arthur John “Dick” Geisler and Vivian Christine (Petersen) Geisler. He lived with his parents and younger siblings Roma and David in Bell, CA, where A.J. ran a feed store. During his childhood in Bell, John began a life-long love of movies at the three local theaters where admission cost a dime.

In February 1942, the metal rationing of WWII led to the closing of the store in Bell, which had transitioned into selling the latest modern appliances. Leaving the land of sun and palm trees, the family moved to a farm in Blunt, SD during a blizzard. In 1945 the Geisler family moved to Murdo, to operate the John Deere and Chevrolet dealerships; the first of many businesses.

For his high school education, John boarded at Northwestern Lutheran Academy in Mobridge, SD. His college education was interrupted when he served his country as a cryptographer in Korea, in the Army 1903rd Engineer/Aviation Battalion.

After his honorable discharge from the Army in 1953, John collected antique cars from across the Midwest. His father told him, ‘John, you have to do something with those cars’ and in 1954 John, his father, Dick, and brother Dave, opened the Pioneer Auto Museum with 25 cars on display in a single building.

John eventually received his bachelor’s degree from Concordia College in Seward, NE. He held many jobs during his life time: service station attendant, copper mine employee, elementary school teacher, social worker, Pinkerton security guard, postal worker, pilot car driver and antique dealer. He most enjoyed his time in the Army and the years he spent exploring the Midwest on trips to locate antique cars for the museum.

John married Betty (Fortier) Queen November 9, 1965 and gained a daughter, Cathie. Daughter Johanna was born in November 1966. After attending graduate school at the University of Minnesota, John, Betty, and the two girls moved to Murdo to be near family and the Pioneer Auto Museum.

For many years, the family traveled around the United States. John was always on the lookout for antique cars and collectibles to add to the Pioneer Auto collection. In 1985 John and Betty returned to Murdo to live. John loved all sorts of entertainment and public exhibitions, attending canvas-tent circuses and state fairs and concerts. He loved a good meal; any road trip would be planned around restaurants that could be visited along the way. John had a companion beagle by his side for the last 35 years, the most recent being named Martin Luther.

In 2002 John and Betty moved to Sioux Falls and later Valley Springs, SD to be near their daughters and grandsons, and to have access to advanced medical care. Both John and Betty faced a number of health issues in the last decade. Starting in 2009, John went through several rounds of treatment for thyroid cancer. After a brief, acute illness in late December 2012, John entered the hospital and then the hospice program at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Sioux Falls. His family is grateful for the excellent care he received there. He passed away the morning of Monday, April 8, 2013.

John had a strong, but quiet, lifetime relationship with his Lord and Savior. He was a member of Messiah Lutheran Church in Murdo and attended First Lutheran in Valley Springs.

John is survived by his wife of 47 years, Betty (Fortier) Geisler, Garretson; two daughters, Cathie (Johnnie) Littles of Sioux Falls, Johanna (Mark Dykstra) Geisler, of Valley Springs; three grandsons Corwin and Rune Dykstra of Valley Springs, and Lee Littles of Sioux Falls, sister Roma Bunch of Irvine, CA; brother David A. (Leila) Geisler of Murdo,; nieces Vivian (Jeff) Sonder, Patty (Donald) Tyus, Jennifer (Bryan) Kaiser, Lisa (Larry) Williams, and nephews Eric (Janet) Staudenbaur, and David M. (Ann) Geisler.

John is preceded in death by his parents Arthur John “Dick” Geisler and Vivian Christine (Petersen) Geisler.

July 5, 1958 ~ April 8, 2013

Larry D. Felcher, 54, Brandon, died Monday, April 08, 2013, at the Southridge Health Care facility in Sioux Falls.

Visitation will be 4:00 to 7:00 pm, Thursday, April 11, 2013, at Heartland Funeral Home, with family present 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Funeral services will begin at 1:00 pm, Friday, April 12, 2013, at Heartland Funeral Home, with Lee Green officiating. Interment will be at Swedona Covenant Cemetery, rural Brandon.

Larry Dennis Felcher was born July 5, 1958, to Larry and Lavonne (Jaqua) Felcher in Sioux Falls, SD. He was one of seven children and was raised and educated through the eighth grade. Larry began working almost immediately. On April 17, 1976 he married Vicki Nordstrom in Sioux Falls. In 1978, Larry became a welder at Egger Steel. In 1992, he tried his hand at his own business in welding. In 1994, Larry was offered and took the position at Huset’s Speedway as the Track Prep Supervisor which he did until 2008, when he had to quit due to health issues.

Larry was a major outdoorsman and racing enthusiast. He loved to hunt deer and pheasants as well as play hard in the dirt. Larry raced snowmobiles, cars, monster trucks, built his own truck for truck pulls and participated in demolition derbies. His children recall going to snow machine races early on with their dad, having to eat peanut butter sandwiches and cheering him on.

Larry will be deeply missed by his wife, Vicki, of Brandon; his children, Jeremy (Julie) Felcher, Sioux Falls, Annalis (Vicki) Felcher, Brandon, and Lorenza (Everett) Robinson, Brandon; five grandchildren, Abby, Keisha, Dandre, Fantasia, and Tyler Felcher; and six brothers & sisters, Carlotta (Claire) Colby, Danny Felcher, Barb Felcher, Jackie Felcher, Audrey Felcher, and Earl Felcher, all of Sioux Falls.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents.

January 2, 1934 ~ March 28, 2013

Dolores J. (Battest) Ellis, 79, Sioux Falls, died Thursday, March 28, 2013, at the Bethany Home of Sioux Falls.

Memorial Services are set for 11:00AM, Friday, April 5, 2013, at the Thelen Funeral Chapel in Redfield, with inurnment following at the Frankfort Mt. Hope Cemetery. A reception will follow at the Frankfort Community Hall.

Dolores Joan Battest was born January 2, 1934 in Doland, SD to William and Louise (Meyer) Battest and was the youngest of ten children. She attended and graduated from the South Dakota School for the Deaf. It was there that she met Raymond C. Ellis. They were married in 1955 and had five children; David, Gordon, Sandy, Paula, and Bernie.

Dolores loved to play cards and Bingo. She made many friends and was very active through the SD Association for the Deaf. She enjoyed traveling and socializing with her friends.

Dolores is survived by her five children, David (Joan) Ellis, Sioux Falls, Gordon Ellis, Grandview, MO, Sandy (Bob) Piedmonte, Buckner, MO, Paula (Tom) Couch, Independence, MO, and Bernie Ellis, Blue Springs, MO; thirteen grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and four brothers, Lloyd (Dee) Battest, Harold Battest, Richard (Alice) Battest, and Norman (Janice) Battest.

She was preceded in death by her parents, six brothers and sisters; Bernell, Robert, Ray, and Denise Battest, Betty Young and Don Carter.

January 7, 1939 ~ March 25, 2013

H. Gerald Bly, 74, Garretson, died Monday, March 25, 2013, at the Avera Dougherty Hospice Home in Sioux Falls.

Public visitation will be held Friday, March 29, 2013, from 4:30 to 6:30pm, at Heartland Funeral Home, Brandon, with family present from 4:30 until 5:30pm. Funeral services will begin at 10:30am, Saturday, March 30, 2013, at Abiding Savior Free Lutheran Church, Sioux Falls, with Pastors Kirk Flaa and Bill Mitchell officiating. Interment will follow at Swedona Covenant Cemetery, rural Brandon.

H. Gerald Bly was born January 7, 1939, in Luverne, MN, to Helge and Edith (Harvey) Bly. Jerry was the youngest of five boys and grew up on the family farm near Garretson and graduated from Garretson High School in 1957 where he and his brother Marvin, proudly played football for the Blue Dragons. He then attended and graduated from SDSU in 1962 with a degree in Animal Science. He soon took a position with the USDA as a loan officer in the Farm/Home Administration. He also met the love of his life, Bonnie Wehde, whom he married October 24, 1964. Jerry’s position took them all around South Dakota for the next thirty years. In 1981, the family moved back to Garretson, to his grandparents’ farm that he purchased and began farming. In 1994, upon the adoption of computers in the work place, Jerry retired from the Farmer’s Home Administration.

Jerry was known by most as a hard working man. Bonnie described him more as an extremely honest man but in a quiet way! His passion was animals and raising livestock; mostly calves and sheep. Chores and hard work such as pulling weeds came first; then the fun. Some of the fondest memories of his children were the camping and family trips around South Dakota and across the US. They went to Minnesota, Wisconsin, Washington, DC, Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks; all in their camper. He also liked being outdoors to hunt pheasants and deer as well as fish. Not on the “River” but rather in Splitrock Creek or someone’s dugout. Nothing special. Just spending time outside with his family. Jerry also loved to spend time with his grandkids, especially coloring.

Jerry was devoted to his Lord and Savior. In 1992, he and Bonnie became members of Abiding Savior Free Lutheran church where he served on the Building Committee, Trustee Committee and as an usher. He was also involved in many Bible studies and small groups.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Bonnie, Garretson; two children, Anthony (Karla) Bly, Garretson and Kristi (Tim) Toennies, Cresbard; and four grandchildren, Hannah & Myra Toennies and Matthew & Katie Bly; and two brothers, Vernon (Arlene) Bly, NC, and Roger (Evelyn) Bly, Centerville.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Helge and Edith; two brothers and their wives, Maurice (Joyce) Bly and Marvin (Delores) Bly; and one more sister-in-law, Edwarda Bly.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established.