Glen Norman Jerke

Glen Jerke, age 90 of rural Dante, SD, passed away Wednesday, April 10, 2024 at Wagner Community Memorial Hospital. Visitation will be held 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. with a 7 p.m. prayer service Sunday, April 14, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Tyndall. His funeral will begin 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 15 at St. John's. Interment is at the ZCBJ Cemetery, Wagner.

Glen Norman Jerke was born June 16, 1933 rural Delmont, SD to Otto and Pearl (Uecker) Jerke. The family lived at several different locations in the Wagner, Avon and Delmont areas. Glen attended Myrtle Country School, rural Avon. He completed his education in the parochial school at Zion Lutheran Church in Avon.

Glen was united in marriage to Verna Gibson, June 16, 1953 at Zion Lutheran Church, Avon. They lived and farmed several acreages around the Avon area until they moved to Corsica, SD where Glen worked for a local farmer. Glen attended Graham School for Cattlemen in Garnett, Kansas. After returning to South Dakota, Glen continued his farming career, near Avon, for several years. They settled on a farm by Dante, where Glen farmed until his death. 

He served the Lord in many jobs in the church, where he also loved to sing, especially in the church choir and at weddings. Glen loved his Lord Jesus Christ and was a witness for Him until his last breath.

Glen is survived by his sons, Douglas (Theresa), Daniel (Lisa) and Michael (Patrice); daughter-in-law, Carol Jerke; grandchildren, Derrick (Bethann), TJ (Megan), Kyle (Kaitlyn), Christopher (Christina), Sarah, Nicholas (Michaela), Rachel, Michaela, Jessica (Nick), Arin (Nate), David (Sue), Molly (Matt) and John Henry; 17 great-grandchildren; sisters, Clarice (EJ) Burke, Wilma Estes, Lois (Ron) Willman and Donna (Ron) Bruna; brother, Gary (Susan) Jerke and sister-in-law, Velda.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Verna; son, Arlan; parents, Otto and Pearl; brother, Clifford; sisters, Delores Peters and Shirley Gibson.