Gerald Palmer

Gerald E. Palmer, 90, of Miller, passed away Saturday, September 12, 2020 at Avantara in Huron, SD.

Funeral service were held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, September 17, 2020 at the First United Methodist Church, Miller with Pastor Teresa Whetsel officiating.  Burial with military honors followed at G.A.R. Cemetery at Miller.  Visitation was held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 16, 2020 followed by a 7:00 p.m. prayer service, all at the church.  

Gerald was born November 11, 1929 to Omer and Sybil (Kimbrough) Palmer in Bonilla, South Dakota. Gerald spent his elementary school years in a rural school in Highland township and then graduated in 1947 from the St. Lawrence High School.

In 1951, Gerald enlisted in the United States Army and was stationed in Munich, Germany until 1953, and then returned home to the family farm and met LaVerta Morford.

Gerald and LaVerta were married on November 07, 1953 and moved to Miller making a lifetime home. To this union, two children were born, Karl Dean and Laura Louise. He was employed for over 25 years as for John Deere a sales manager at Schear Implement. In 2019, after many years in Miller, he and LaVerta moved to Huron to be closer to their daughter.

Gerald and LaVerta loved to travel together throughout the USA and the world including: Alaska, Germany, Austria, France, Switzerland and Canada. Gardening was another passion of his. Tomatoes were his specialty, making sure everyone in the community had as many as they needed.

He had a knack for knowing what was always going on with the weather. He was the weather channel. Although he had many interests, Gerald cherished his family the most, especially loved watching his son and grandson fish, hunt and play sports. He was always calling to check the details.

Gerald was a member of the First United Methodist Church and also served as a member of the Miller City Council for many years.

Gerald is survived by his wife of 66 years, LaVerta; his daughter, Laura (Larry) Cross; grandson, Cody (Bethany Dudley) Schnetter; and stepsister, June Ehrich.

He was preceded in death by his son, Karl; parents; his stepmother, Olga; six brothers: Omer, Vernon, Loren, Nova, John and Kenneth; three sisters: Fern, Ruby and Freda; and nine step siblings: Jim, Don, Royce, Keith, Skip, Sidney, Betty, Rose, and Inez.

Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Gerald’s arrangements.