Jerry Bown
March 12, 1935 ~ February 12, 2008
Served by: Luce, Luze & Reck Funeral Homes
In lieu of flowers, direct memorial to the MDA-ALS Foundation, 4120 S Elmwood Place, Sioux Falls, SD 57105.
Jerry Bown, 72, of Gettysburg, passed away, Tuesday, February 12, at Avera St. Luke’s Hospital in Aberdeen after a one year battle with ALS-Lou Gehrig’s Disease.
Funeral services were held at 10:30a.m., Monday, February 18, 2008 at the United Methodist Church in Gettysburg with Pastor Susan O'Connell officating. Burial was in the Gettysburg Cemetery with military honors. Visitation was held from 2:00-5:00p.m., Sunday, February 17, 2008, at the Luce Funeral Home with a 7:00p.m. prayer service at the church.
Jerald Alan Bown was born at Onida, South Dakota on March 12, 1935 to Robert and Dorothy (McGilvrey) Bown. He attended grade school in Hyde County and graduated from Gettysburg High School in 1953. After graduation, Jerry served four years in the United States Air Force. Following his return home, he went to college for two years at SDSC in Brookings. On June 12, 1960, Jerry married Priscilla Pirwitz at Madison, South Dakota. He and then transferred to Colorado State Teachers College in Greeley, Colorado, graduating in 1962.
Jerry spent two and a half years teaching before joining his father in farming and ranching. Through out his life he has supported many organizations and served on many boards which include the Farmers Union; National Farmers Organization, State President; Hyde County Independent School Board, Vice President; Gettysburg School Board, Vice President and President: Cenex Coop Board for twenty five years serving as Vice President and President; Governing Board of the Gettysburg Medical Center, Vice President and President; Gettysburg Country Club; Gettysburg Mayor, 2000-2006 and the American Legion, Past Commander.
Jerry was also a member of the United Methodist Church where he was a certified lay speaker, served on several of the church boards and was a Sunday School Teacher.
For many years Jerry worked for Brown Commodities in the commodities and crop insurance, retiring in December of 2001.
During Jerry’s spare time he enjoyed time with his grandchildren, golfing, fishing, writing, gardening, cooking and grilling.
Those left to cherish Jerry’s life are his wife Priscilla of Gettysburg; his four children: Cheri (Kevin) Geditz and Cindy (Mark) Schmidt both of Gettysburg, Tina (John) Beck of Sioux Falls and Rob (Kamie) Bown of Gouverneur, NY; twelve grandchildren: Joshua, Jerrid and Jordan Schmidt, Jamie Geditz, Carla (Dale) Judkins, Cole and Megan Geditz, Kylie, Shayla and Macy Beck and Morgan and Haley Bown; four great grandchildren: Lilly and Lewis Judkins, Preston Martin and Alyssa Brick; his mother: Dorothy Bown of Gettysburg; his siblings: Donna Robbennolt, Janet Cronin and JoAnn Oaks of Gettysburg, Diane (Jim) Diermier of Elbow Lake, MN, Robbie (Dick) Schneider of Rapid City, Vicki Larson of Odenton, MD, Kathleen Shreeve of Rapid City and Jeff Bown of Gettysburg and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his father and two children, Rebecca and Joseph.
Luce Funeral Home of Gettsyburg has been entrusted with his arrangements.
Jerry Bown, 72, of Gettysburg, passed away, Tuesday, February 12, at Avera St. Luke’s Hospital in Aberdeen after a one year battle with ALS-Lou Gehrig’s Disease.
Funeral services were held at 10:30a.m., Monday, February 18, 2008 at the United Methodist Church in Gettysburg with Pastor Susan O'Connell officating. Burial was in the Gettysburg Cemetery with military honors. Visitation was held from 2:00-5:00p.m., Sunday, February 17, 2008, at the Luce Funeral Home with a 7:00p.m. prayer service at the church.
Jerald Alan Bown was born at Onida, South Dakota on March 12, 1935 to Robert and Dorothy (McGilvrey) Bown. He attended grade school in Hyde County and graduated from Gettysburg High School in 1953. After graduation, Jerry served four years in the United States Air Force. Following his return home, he went to college for two years at SDSC in Brookings. On June 12, 1960, Jerry married Priscilla Pirwitz at Madison, South Dakota. He and then transferred to Colorado State Teachers College in Greeley, Colorado, graduating in 1962.
Jerry spent two and a half years teaching before joining his father in farming and ranching. Through out his life he has supported many organizations and served on many boards which include the Farmers Union; National Farmers Organization, State President; Hyde County Independent School Board, Vice President; Gettysburg School Board, Vice President and President: Cenex Coop Board for twenty five years serving as Vice President and President; Governing Board of the Gettysburg Medical Center, Vice President and President; Gettysburg Country Club; Gettysburg Mayor, 2000-2006 and the American Legion, Past Commander.
Jerry was also a member of the United Methodist Church where he was a certified lay speaker, served on several of the church boards and was a Sunday School Teacher.
For many years Jerry worked for Brown Commodities in the commodities and crop insurance, retiring in December of 2001.
During Jerry’s spare time he enjoyed time with his grandchildren, golfing, fishing, writing, gardening, cooking and grilling.
Those left to cherish Jerry’s life are his wife Priscilla of Gettysburg; his four children: Cheri (Kevin) Geditz and Cindy (Mark) Schmidt both of Gettysburg, Tina (John) Beck of Sioux Falls and Rob (Kamie) Bown of Gouverneur, NY; twelve grandchildren: Joshua, Jerrid and Jordan Schmidt, Jamie Geditz, Carla (Dale) Judkins, Cole and Megan Geditz, Kylie, Shayla and Macy Beck and Morgan and Haley Bown; four great grandchildren: Lilly and Lewis Judkins, Preston Martin and Alyssa Brick; his mother: Dorothy Bown of Gettysburg; his siblings: Donna Robbennolt, Janet Cronin and JoAnn Oaks of Gettysburg, Diane (Jim) Diermier of Elbow Lake, MN, Robbie (Dick) Schneider of Rapid City, Vicki Larson of Odenton, MD, Kathleen Shreeve of Rapid City and Jeff Bown of Gettysburg and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his father and two children, Rebecca and Joseph.
Luce Funeral Home of Gettsyburg has been entrusted with his arrangements.
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My thoughts and prayers are with the Bown family and friends as you cope with the physical loss of your husband, dad, son, brother,uncle, and friend.
Sincerely,
Pat Braun
You have my sympathy. My thoughts are with you during this difficult time. Please know you are in my prayers.
Phillip
My sincere sympathy to you all during this time.
Thoughts and prayers,
Michelle
The Bown Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of loss. Most comforting for you are the precious memories that you as a family have created over the years.
Cheri and family,
I am so very sorry for your loss. I remember your dad and how tall and strong he was,when we were little kids in church. Now he is at home in Heaven and he is tall and strong again.
Cheri,Kevin,Cindy,Mark and the rest of the Bown family~ I am so sorry for you loss of a really great guy. I will keep you and everyone in my prayers. May god help you all get through hard time as your loved one rests in peace. Take care
Rebecca,Nick,Austin,Leanne,Katelyn,Mandy Jo Vanhorn
Priscilla,
We are so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and all your family. I still feel like part of your extended family even though it has been years since we had our times together. Your family is and will always be special to me.
Love Stephanie
The Bown family, our thoughts are with you at this time of sorrow. Jerry was a special husband,father, grandpa , brother and uncle and held a very special place in all your hearts. He was an amazing person and will be missed by many. May God hold you close at the sad time.
We send our deepest sympathy to the Bown family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of loss.
Bart,Carmen Worth
To the Bown Family
Our hearts are with you in your time of loss, Jerry was a great and kind man and will be missed by so many people.
With Sympathy,
Brandi Valentz & Family