Jerry D Wicks

Jerry D. Wicks, age 68, lifelong resident/farmer of Carpenter, SD and a current Clark County Commissioner, died in the Golden Living Center at Clark on Thursday afternoon, April 8, 2010 after a courageous battle with cancer. His loving family was at his side. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, April 11, 2010 at 4PM in the Carpenter United Methodist Church at Carpenter with The Reverend Kris Larson officiating. Music will be presented by Crys Grann playing the piano and Special music by Dick Grann and The Wicks Family - Kerry, Scott and Yvonne. All of Jerry's grandchildren will be considered the honorary casketbearers. The active casketbearers will be Gary Gabur, Scott and Larry Wicks, Jeff Grann, Rod Dreher, Francis Hass, Dale Hoffman and Barry Gamber. Military rites will be presented by the Thompson-Madsen American Legion Post 153 of Carpenter following the Church services. Burial will be in the Richland Cemetery at Carpenter at a later date. Visitation will be held on Saturday from 4-7PM with the family present from 5-7PM at the Furness Funeral Home in Clark and after 2PM on Sunday at the Church in Carpenter. He was born, Jerry Dee Wicks, on June 19, 1941 at Huron, SD, the son of Wallace and Clara (Board) Wicks. He attended grade school at Carpenter and then high school at Clark graduating in 1959. After high school, Jerry went to South Dakota State University in Brookings and obtained a degree in agronomy. Following his schooling he was inducted into the United States Army and served his country honorably from December of 1963 until December of 1965. He was stationed at Dugway, UT. Following his stint in the service, Jerry returned to the family farm north of Carpenter and continued the farming operation. On April 9, 1966 he was united in marriage to Violet Knaack Haugen. The couple has lived and farmed north of Carpenter since. Besides the love of the land, Jerry also had other hobbies he enjoyed, fishing and hunting in earlier days to being an avid sports fan. Not only did he play baseball in high school and college as well as football in both venues as well, he thoroughly enjoyed watching all types of sports, whether it is in person or on the television. He league bowled for many years as well and also was seen a time or two on the golf course. Jerry was active in the United Methodist Church at Carpenter where he was also baptized and confirmed. He had served on various church boards over the years. In the community the list is endless with the organizations and groups he was involved with. Among some currently he was serving on is: a Clark County Commissioner, a director for the R.E.A Codington- Clark Electric Director for the past 38 years, a South Dakota R.E.A. Director since 2001, Clark County Weed Board, Treasurer of the Richland Township Board, and was Commander of the Thompson-Madsen American Legion Post #153 of Carpenter. Over the years, Jerry had been involved in many other civic events. In 1975 he was the Clark Countys Jaycee Outstanding Young Farmer. Preceding him in death were his parents and a brother, Gail (Gloria) Wicks. Grateful for having shared his life is his wife Violet of Carpenter, children, Robin (Gary) Gabur of Castlewood, Terry (Stephanie) Wicks of Carpenter, Heather Bratland of Valley Springs, SD and Aaron (Stephanie) Wicks of Willow Lake. He also leaves 11 grandchildren who were the pride and joy of his life, Kaylie, Emily, Logan, and Lauren Gabur, Dylan, Kelly, and Shane Wicks, Garrett and Cole Bratland and Ty and Nathan Wicks and a host of other relatives and friends. Arrangements are with the Furness Funeral Home at Clark where there is an on-line registry at www.furnessfuneralhome.com