Aberdeen: The funeral service for Gerald "Jerry" Oliver Feickert, 74, of Aberdeen will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2013, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Aberdeen. Pastor D. Thomas Rawerts will officiate.
Burial with military honors by Sidney L. Smith American Legion Post No. 24 will be in Riverside Memorial Cemetery.
Jerry went to be with the Lord on Friday, Sept. 13, 2013, at Avera St. Luke's Hospital, surrounded by his family who loved him very much. Jerry had been afflicted with Parkinson's disease for over seven years.
Visitation will be 1 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2013, with family present from 5 to 7 p.m., at Spitzer-Miller Funeral Home, 1111 S. Main St., in Aberdeen.
Gerald Oliver Feickert, son of Emanuel and Clara (Huber) Feickert, was born Oct. 30, 1938, in Mobridge, S.D. He grew up in Bowdle, S.D., and graduated from Bowdle High School. Following high school, Jerry helped his father operate the family custom harvesting business and Feickert and Sons Trucking Co.
In 1958, Jerry enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served his country as an electrician's mate-2nd class (E-5) on the U.S.S. Little Rock, touring the Mediterranean area. During this time, Jerry trained as an electrician and received his honorable discharge along with a Good Conduct medal in 1962. He returned home, again helping with the family harvesting business and, later, began doing electrical work.
Jerry was united in marriage to Phyllis Hieb on April 14, 1963, in Aberdeen, where they made their home and raised their family. In 1968, Jerry went to work at Presentation Heights as the director of buildings and grounds.
In the late 1970s, Jerry started Feickert Electric. He continued operating the business until November 2012, when he sold the business and retired; he was proud that the name Feickert Electric still continues today. From 1997 through 2004, Jerry also worked part time at Avera St. Luke's Hospital in the plant operations department.
Jerry was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church. Over the years, he held several positions, including church council president, Sunday school teacher and superintendent. He was also a member of the Jaycee's, holding several offices, including president; he was active in the local Snow Queen Festival, very much enjoying his time with the Snow Guards, especially as captain of the guards. Jerry held the highest honor of Jaycees, receiving the International Senatorship award, a distinguished honor.
Jerry was a proud supporter of all Northern State University and Aberdeen Central athletics. Jerry served on the boards for the Aberdeen Housing Authority, local United Way Chapter, and Brown County Fair.
Jerry always cherished the time he was able to spend with his family at their cabin on Mina Lake. He will be remembered by many for the love he had for his family, especially enjoying the time he spent with his grandchildren. Jerry also enjoyed traveling, particularly cruises.
Grateful for having shared Jerry's life are his wife, Phyllis, of Aberdeen, three children: Dawn (David) Lenz, Rochester, Minn., Troy Feickert, Fort Worth, Texas, and Gwyn (Owen) Fischbach, Warner, S.D.; four grandchildren: Madison and Sydney Lenz and Clara and Ellis Fischbach; mother-in-law, Irene Schnaible; two brothers: Ronald (Janice) and Larry (SharRay) Feickert; and two sisters: Marcie Mayer and Bonnie (John) Walker.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; one infant brother and three infant sisters; fathers-in-law, Herbert Hieb and Warren Schnaible; brother-in-law, Roger Mayer; and sister-in-law, Linda Feickert.
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