Jerome Stotz April 18, 1934 - August 21, 2021
Obituaries-Mobridge / Posted Aug 25, 2021 | 9:07 AM / 285 views
Jerome (Jerry) Warren Stotz, age 87, passed away on Saturday, August 21st, 2021, at his home surrounded by loving family.
There will be a family, friends, and community service on Friday, September 3rd, at 7:30 p.m. MDT at Prince of Peace Chapel of the Evanson Jensen Funeral Home in Lemmon, SD. The Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, September 4th at 2:00 p.m. CDT at Selby United Church of Christ with interment at Selby Memorial Garden. Visitation will be Friday, September 3rd, beginning at 1:00 p.m. MDT at Evanson Jensen Funeral Home and Saturday, September 4th, beginning at 1:00 p.m. CDT at Selby United Church of Christ.
The Funeral Service will be live streamed on the website www.evansonjensenfuneralhome.com and the service can be view by going to Jerry’s obituary and clicking on “view funeral service here”.
Jerry was an only child born on April 18, 1934, in Bowdle, South Dakota to Pauline B. (Schlepp) Stotz and Emil P. Stotz. His grade school years were split between California and Java, SD. He graduated from Selby High School with the Class of 1951 and remained lifelong friends with a number of those classmates. Time with his maternal grandparents played a very important role in his young years. Jerry attended his freshman year of college at Northern State College in Aberdeen until the death of his stepfather, when he needed to return to help his mother run the farm.
He was a very accomplished and talented athlete in many sports, including basketball, football, track, and music. His sport of choice was softball, which played a very important role for years. He played for both a local and traveling team and was often a pickup player, as well. While in California, he played some minor league baseball and was a golden gloves boxer. He was also found riding bareback and saddle bronc in his rodeo days.
Jerry married Avon (Avie) Johnson on March 8th, 1954, at the Church of God parsonage in Mobridge. They began their married life together on a farm southwest of Selby. They were blessed with three children. Jerry and Avie were 2 weeks shy of celebrating their 63rd wedding anniversary when Avie went to be with the Lord. In 1990, they moved to Lemmon, SD, where Jerry was employed by Gregorian and then Wheeler Manufacturing, where he made new friends and perfected a trade.
Jerry had a passion for life and was the epitome of Rancher, Cowboy, Friend, Neighbor, Husband, Dad, Uncle, Grandpa and Great-Grandpa. His philosophy was that there was always room for one more at the table. He loved with every fiber of his being and was grateful for every moment spent together. Being Grandpa was a pure joy and being Great-Grandpa lit up his life.
Besides work, Jerry was active on church councils, Jaycees, and Lions. In addition to his love of sports, he also enjoyed fishing, snowmobiling, hunting, camping, and dancing. Both Jerry & Avie were avid and accomplished bowlers.
Jerry is survived by his daughters, Sheila (Jerry) Doohen, Dickinson, ND, and Sharon (Dewey) Holder, Bowman, ND; his son Shannon (Desirae), Java, SD; his grandchildren, Stephanie Holder, Tyler (Kelsey) Doohen, Stacey Holder, Dawn Doohen, Shantel (Tad) Lewton, Ryan Stotz (fiancé Brittany Bissett), and Breanna Stotz; great-grandchildren, Avy Doohen, Irelynn Doohen, Corbin Lewton, Axton Doohen, Bentley Bissett, Mya Lewton and Willow Stotz; numerous nieces and nephews and special friends.
He is preceded in death by the love of his life, Avie; his mother, Pauline; stepfathers, Leif Carlson and Merton (Slim) Cole; and his father, Emil.
Special music will be provided by Stephanie Holder and Dawn Doohen.
Serving as Honorary Casketbearers are Avy Doohen, Irelynn Doohen, Axton Doohen, Corbin Lewton, Mya Lewton, Bentley Bissett, Willow Stotz, and all of Jerry’s nieces and nephews.
Serving as Active Casketbearers are Tyler Doohen, Dawn Doohen, Stephanie Holder, Stacey Holder, Shantel Lewton, Ryan Stotz, Breanna Stotz, Tad Lewton, and Kelsey Doohen.
In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established in Jerry’s memory.
Cards may be sent to Sharon Holder, 205 4th Ave SW, Bowman, ND 58623
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.evansonjensenfuneralhome.com