
Jean Gerlach
Dates
July 23, 1945 - March 10, 2025Obituary
Jean Gerlach, 79, of Plankinton, SD, passed away at Firesteel Healthcare Center under Hospice Care with family at her side on March 10, 2025, to be with her Lord. Funeral service will be at 10:30 AM Monday, March 17, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Plankinton. Burial will be at Mizpah Cemetery in Plankinton. Visitation will be Sunday, March 16, from 2-4:00 PM at Bittner Funeral Chapel with a 3:30 PM prayer service. Arrangements by Bittner Funeral Chapel.
A live stream of Jean’s funeral service can be viewed at: https://www.stpaulplankinton.com/services
Jean Annette Gerlach was born July 23, 1945, the first child to Chet and Lucille (Leith) Clawson in Madison, SD. Jean and her brother, Tom, grew up in the Howard area. In 1957, the family moved to Mitchell. Jean graduated from Mitchell High School in 1963.
On May 25, 1963, Jean married her lifelong sweetheart, Larry. Together they farmed in the Plankinton/Mt. Vernon areas before settling south of Plankinton. They raised their four daughters on the family farm. Welcoming everyone into their home, Jean ALWAYS had a hot pot of coffee and warm goodies on the counter to share. Jean enjoyed coffee hour, even if it led up to her making a homemade meal, as we all know, she made the best fried hamburgers with mashed potatoes & milk gravy. The grands and great-grands always enjoyed going to Grandma & Grandpa’s house and helping with chores, especially the chicken chores.
Jean enjoyed gardening, canning, and raising chickens, which brought many people to the farm for fresh eggs and a visit. Jean also loved to go shopping, especially if she could tag along with one of the girls for the day. Jean worked various jobs in the Plankinton area, but one of her favorites was driving bus for the Plankinton School District for 20 years.
Jean was a faithful member of the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church where she was the Sunday School Superintendent and taught for many years. She was also an avid member of the St. Paul’s Lutheran Ladies Aid.
Survived by her loving husband of 61 years, Larry; four daughters, Kim (Todd) Lynde of Sioux Falls, Lisa (Guy) Seto of Peoria, AZ, Debra (Steven) Pickart of Stickney, and Jolene (Matt) Baker of Mt. Vernon; grandchildren: Joshua (Letty), Kassy (Zach), Janessa (Travis), Justin (Steph), Anna (Brady), Emily and Zach; great-grandchildren: Jaxon, Noah, Jeremiah, Kailee, Zane, Addy, Blake, Charlie, Joseph, Ian, Emmett, and Lucas; one brother, Tom of Oregon; sisters-in-law, Maxine Schmig, Marlys Nelson both of Mitchell, Bernice Kollman of Plankinton; and brother-in-law, Dale (Vicki) Gerlach of Plankinton. She is also adored her many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Chet and Lucille Clawson, and in-laws, Lenny and Rosie Gerlach.
Jean will be missed by her husband, her family, and her many friends.
Visitation(s)
Sunday, March 16, 2025
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
3:30 PM Prayer Service
Bittner Funeral Chapel
805 W Havens Ave
Mitchell, SD 57301
Service
Monday, March 17, 2025
10:30 AM
St. Paul's Lutheran Church
109 W State St
Plankinton, SD 57368
Cemetery
Mizpah CemeteryPlankinton, SD
I will miss you so much. I wish I could have been around you more! I will never forget your morning wake up calls by whistling and signing loud for everyone in the house to hear. Your cheer made it easier for a non-morning person like me to wake up! I will miss your patented pop-sound with your thumb in your cheek. The chickens will miss your great care on the farm. The last call I had with you was so sweet and wonderful, I wasn't able to tell that anything was wrong at all. I'm jealous of you getting to be with Jesus, seeing His open arms for you, and feeling His embrace. I wish I could hug you right now. I wish I could be at the party they are having for you. I love you and I'm blessed to know you. Until I get to see you again, I will deeply miss you.
The boys will always remember your sweet soul. “Grandmothers hold such precious memories for us. Those memories created will never be lost. Take heart. As time
goes by your memories will become even sweeter.” “I’m sorry for your loss.I pray that in this difficult time, the love of God shelters you. Until we meet again
Jim and Dorothy Tipton