Jerome "Jerry" Gaspar

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Jerry Lambert Gaspar, age 68, of Colton passed away Friday, July 17, 2015 at Riverview Healthcare Community in Flandreau. He passed away surrounded by his family after fighting a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM Wednesday, July 22, 2015 at First Lutheran Church, Colton. Visitation will be Tuesday, July 21, 2015 from 5-7:00 PM, followed by a prayer service at 7:00 PM at First Lutheran Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Jerry was born August 13, 1946 to parents Raymond and Frances (Helsper) Gaspar on a farm near Chester. He graduated from Chester High School in 1965, where he was a standout football, basketball and track athlete. Following high school he joined the Madison National Guard. After completing basic training, he worked at John Morrell until 1990. He farmed as well, as that was his passion.

In 1995 he went to work for his brother at Denny Gaspar Ford in Dell Rapids. He enjoyed the people he worked with and the many customers he got to know.

He’s passion for boating and skiing meant many summers spent at the lake. His enjoyment for camping and fishing meant lots of time at the Missouri River pulling in walleyes. Living on the farm and being a John Deer man was all he wanted to do, but with the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s he retired from farming.

He was a quiet man who loved his family and was lovingly referred to as “Papa” by his grandchildren.

Jerry married his high school sweetheart Carol Stratton on December 20, 1969. They made their home on a farm north of Colton where they were blessed with two daughters,

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife of 45 years, Carol, Colton; his daughters, Stacey (Chad) Knecht, Lincoln, NE; Nicole (Justin) Van Hal, Dell Rapids; four grandchildren; Katie Knecht, Connor Knecht,, Lily Van Hal, and Elise Van Hal; four siblings, Patricia O’Loughlen, Sioux Falls; Carol (Robert) Mergen, Dell Rapids; Judy (Jerome) Baumberger, Dell Rapids, and Dennis (Kate) Gaspar, Sioux Falls; two brothers and sisters in law, Lynn and Charlotte Brown, Sioux Falls; Larry and Linette Van Hunnick, Lincoln, NE; many loving nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Raymond and Frances Gaspar and his step mother Marcella Gaspar.

He will be greatly missed, but now is free. His family is especially grateful for the loving care he received from the wonderful Staff at Riverview Healthcare.