Jerry Bickley

Dates

Obituary

Jerry Bickley, 90, of Plankinton, SD, passed away Wednesday, October 4, 2023, at his home. Family members gathered at his side all week before his death. His sweetheart of 36 years, Susie Bickley, never left his side. A Celebration of Life will be held on Jerry’s 91st birthday, Sunday, October 15, from 12-3:00 PM at the Plankinton Fire Station. Interment with military rights will be Monday, October 16, at South Dakota Veterans Cemetery in Sioux Falls. Arrangements by Bittner Funeral Chapel.

Jerry Jean Bickley was born in Farmersville, Texas, on October 15, 1932, to Haywood and Dayte (Glass) Bickley. He was the second of 5 boys. The family moved to Deloit, Iowa, during World War II for his father's beekeeping business. Later, they moved to Blackfoot, Idaho, where Jerry graduated from Blackfoot High School. Upon graduation, he began working for the Union Pacific Railroad, where he was drafted into the Army. He served in Korea from 1953 to 1955. Upon returning from the war, he went back to the railroad, where he spent the next 22 years. In 1975, after a tragic accident on the railroad and a long recovery, Jerry returned to his passion for beekeeping and moved to Plankinton, South Dakota. Living in Plankinton allowed Jerry to serve his community. He spent 35 years as a volunteer firefighter and active member of the ambulance service.

Jerry was a man of honor. Honesty and your word on a handshake were better than a contract to him. Jerry loved to serve his family and community. If you needed anything, Jerry would jump right in and genuinely loved to help out. 

Jerry has five wonderful children from his first marriage: Steve, Julie, Paul, David, and Karen. He married the love of his life, Susie Schipke, on November 26, 1986. Family was very important to Jerry and Susie; their vacations were spent visiting their loved ones. From Alaska to North Carolina, Jerry and Susie would go wherever their family was. It’s probably why Jerry loved the song "I've Been Everywhere" by Johnny Cash.

Together, Jerry and Susie loved their 19 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren, and countless nieces, and nephews. Often spoiling them with scones and bacon at their favorite breakfast diners and shipping Christmas treats and fruitcakes.

Jerry also loved to chat! He would grab coffee with friends twice daily at Al's I-90, the Coffee Cup, Plank Inn, or the Sinclair gas station. He might have been passionate about politics, too, but we won't go there!

Jerry loved spending every minute with Susie, canning and cooking with her, making all their cherished family recipes, and decades working together in the bee yards. Most conversations with Jerry led back to what he ate for supper or what he planned to eat for dinner. He loved pimentos & cheese, brisket, peach cobbler with cream, bread pudding, Famous Dave's, flat bacon, and the proper way to stack a hamburger. In every town he frequented, he had a favorite store where he would stop to buy a local delicacy (one of the grandkid's favorite stories). Together, Jerry and Susie loved spoiling their puppies with Jerry often feeding them from his dinner plate and bringing home leftovers.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Susie; five children: Steve (Debbie) Bickley, South Weber, UT, Julie (Bill) Myers, Pocatello, ID, Paul (Jodi) Bickley, Layton, UT, David (Nancy) Bickley, Pocatello, ID, and Karen (Clay) Dorsey, Pocatello, ID; brothers, Wayne (Betty) Bickley, Salt Lake, UT, and Mike (Laurie) Bickley, Pocatello, ID; father-in-law, Roger Schipke, Aberdeen, SD; sisters-in-law: Tammy (Myron) Steffen, Mt. Vernon, SD, Peggy (David) Brink, Farmington, MN, and Cindy (Leo) Fleckenstein, Aberdeen, SD; and brother-in-law, Doug Nowak, Sioux Falls, SD.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; older brother and his wife, Eldon and Theresa Bickley; younger brother, James Bickley; grandson, Jared Stromberg; mother-in-law, Ruby Schipke; and sister-in-law, Debi Nowak.

Jerry leaves behind a beautiful legacy and will be missed dearly.

"Dad gum you" was a loved phrase Jerry used frequently, especially if you got his goat! Dad gum you, Jerry, for leaving us. We will never forget you and will love you forever! 10-4 and out!

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the Plankinton Fire Department and Ambulance Service.

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