Gerald "Jerry" Cleophus Heinemann

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It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our father, Gerald Cleophus Heinemann of Dell Rapids at the age of 82. He passed away early Wednesday morning, January 30 ^th , 2019 during the coldest temperatures we’ve had in years.

Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:00 AM Saturday, February 2, 2019 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Dell Rapids. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Visitation with the family present from 5:00 to 7:00 PM followed by a Wake Service at 7:00 PM Friday, February 1, 2019 at St. Mary Catholic Church.

Gerald (Jerry) Cleophus was born on May 7th, 1936 in Dell Rapids, to Agnes and Norbert Heinemann. He was raised and attended school in Dell Rapids, graduating from St. Mary High School. It was always interesting growing up in a house with one brother and eight sisters.

At the age of 22 while serving our country in Japan, Jerry was called back home due to his father’s ill health. After his father’s passing, he took the responsibility of tending to the farm and helping his mother and siblings. He was a very humble, busy and hardworking man. Little did he know just how busy life could get.

Jerry met Joan Jarman on the dance floor at the Arkota Dance Hall in Sioux Falls and they married on August 22 ^nd , 1959. They both spoke of many sweet memories they made spending weekends with each other and friends dancing at the Arkota and Pavillion. Soon after marriage, Jerry and Joan moved out to the Heinemann farm where they always dreamt of creating a big family. They had six busy children; four sons and two daughters and after that came eighteen grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Jerry worked on the farm and drove truck for Hyman Freightways, Inc. for 25 years, retiring at the age of 62. He was a member of the St. Mary Catholic Church all of his life. There was nothing Jerry treasured more than a fresh cup of coffee and good conversation with family and friends. He showed us all the meaning of hard work and the importance of family. Among his many titles, he was a great son, brother, husband, father and grandfather.

Jerry is survived by his children, Mike (DeAnn) Heinemann, Flandreau, Craig (Tonya) Heinemann, Dell Rapids, Larry (Shelley) Heinemann, Dell Rapids, Steve (Kris) Heinemann, Dell Rapids and Kristi (Brad) Nieman, Sioux Falls; eighteen grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; four sisters, Ethel (Alan) Ketelsleger, Oklahoma, Evelyn (Gene) Gannon, Iowa, Janice (Jerry) Kritzer, Nevada and Arlene (Russ) McFarlane, Sioux Falls, SD; numerous nieces and nephews; many relatives and friends.

Jerry was preceded in death by his wife, Joan Irene (Jarman) Heinemann; daughter, Kathleen Heinemann; parents, Norbert and Agnes Heinemann; five sisters, Kay, Shirley, Mary and Viviene and one brother, Bob.