Jerry Bowar

Jerald H. Bowar, 73, of Faulkton, passed away Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at his farm where he lived his whole life. Leaving this earth was not his choice, but taking God’s hand on the farm he loved was his just reward.

Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, July 25, 2026, at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Faulkton with Father John Short as the celebrant. Burial will follow at St. Thomas Catholic Cemetery in Faulkton. Visitation will begin at 5:30 p.m., Friday, July 24, 2026, followed by a 7:00 p.m. wake and rosary service at the church.

Jerald Herbert Bowar was born on November 20, 1952, to Herbert and Gladine (Wright) Bowar.  He was the youngest of four children.  Gladine called every year on his birthday to remind him that he weighed more than he should have at birth.  It was a phone call Jerry cherished every year.  He attended Orient Grade School and graduated from Faulkton High School in 1971.  Following high school, he attended Lake Area Technical College for Carpentry Skills, or as Jerry always called it, “wood butcher school”.  After trade school, he returned to farm and ranch with his dad and Uncle Bub.

In June of 1974, he married Connie Myers.  With this marriage, he gained a wonderful extended family in all the “Myers Boys”.

On June 14, 1997, he married Sandy (Woodruff) Giesen, even though Sandy’s Dad asked if he was just too old for her.  He claimed he married her for her money, however, he was sure surprised when there was none.  Jerry and Sandy spent many days camping and going to auction sales trying to find that perfect treasure.

Jerry was the happiest when he was working and serving others.  “No” was not in his vocabulary, and he was a friend to everyone he met. Jerry was always humming a tune, whether he was working outside or sitting doing another passion of his constructing model trucks. He often reminisced about singing in the church choir with his Uncle Bill. He took great comfort in being able to sing at funerals in the hope of helping ease a family’s grief.

Jerry was an active member of the Faulk County Saddle Club for 35 years. If you needed Jerry in the summertime, you would find him at the Rodeo Grounds.  He took great pride in the rodeo and bull riding performances.  He wanted the grounds to be perfect.  I think the part he liked most was the enjoyment that the community had each year by coming out to the performance.

Jerry was always fixing things with the new tool he just had to have for the occasion.  Friends and neighbors knew that if they needed a special tool for a project, “Go ask Jerry, he will have it”.

Another activity that put a smile on his face was creating or building with his hands.  He tried his hardest to complete Sandy’s “Honey-do” list, but it never seemed to get smaller.  Everything he created was done to perfection and with love.

Jerry’s heart was bigger than the world.  His love for animals and caring for them was one of his greatest joys.  From his Amerifax herd of cattle to his very large herd of cats, each one was special and was named.  A piece of his heart broke each time an animal crossed the Rainbow Bridge.  The Denver Stock Show and the South Dakota State Fair were highlights of his cattle showing days.  He sat on the show box and solved all the world’s problems with Don Ogren and family.  Jerry and his dad believed in the Amerifax breed and enjoyed many days together promoting their cattle breed.

He was most proud of all his extended family.  You could see the joy and pride on his face when he got to watch his nieces, nephews, and godchildren accomplish what they loved.

Jerry was a faithful member of the St. Thomas Catholic Church. His dedication to his parish was unwavering and a true example of living out the faith through service. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Jerry is survived by his wife Sandy; siblings: Linda (Bernie) Vogel of Faulkton, Tom (Mary) Bowar of Spearfish, and Jan (Special friend Frank Escobedo) Miller of Shertz, Texas; in-law family: Kent Woodruff of Ogden, Utah, Reed (Eileen) Woodruff of Wessington Springs, Byron (Penny) Woodruff of Wessington, Vicki Simpson of Rapid City, Mark Woodruff of Rapid City, and Kay (Doyle ) Foreman of Miller; and all his nieces, nephews, and godchildren as well as his extended special family: Chad and Diana Homan and their children: Henry, Calvin, and Clay.

Meeting Jerry in Heaven will be his parents, Herb and Gladine Bowar; in-laws: Victor and Joyce Woodruff and Fritz and Doris Myers; infant nephew, Christopher Bowar; and infant niece, Kendree Foreman.

Luce Funeral Home of Faulkton has been entrusted with Jerry’s arrangements.