Gerald "Jerry" Ehlebracht, age 70 of Brookings, passed away Wed., Nov. 20, 2019, at home while under hospice care.  Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 am Mon., Nov. 25, at St. Thomas More Catholic Parish in Brookings. Visitation will be 4-7 pm Sun., Nov. 24, at Eidsness Funeral Home.

Gerald Dean Ehlebracht was born May 11, 1949, in Milbank, SD, to Vincent and Rachel (Dockter) Ehlebracht. He graduated from Watertown High School in 1967. In October of 1968 Jerry enlisted in the United States Army. He was assigned as military police to the Presidential Executive Flight Detachment for Army One (the Presidential Helicopter). He was honorably discharged in October of 1971.

After serving his country, Jerry moved to Virginia, where he continued his education with a degree in Architectural Drafting. On July 19, 1974, Jerry married Yvonne Burnette Smith in Springfield, VA. The couple moved back to Jerry's home state of South Dakota in 1976, and to Brookings in 1978. At that time, Jerry began a 41-year career with Mills Construction as a project superintendent where he was involved with many commercial projects (including the Swiftel Center, the 1921 Building and several Brookings High School additions among others) and remodeled many churches in Brookings and other South Dakota towns. Upon retirement from Mills, Jerry was hired as project manager for Habitat for Humanity until terminal lung cancer forced him to retire fully. Jerry also taught certified carpenter apprenticeship classes for Associated General Contractors for more than 12 years.

Survivors include his beloved wife of 45 years, Yvonne Ehlebracht of Brookings; daughters, Elise Smith-Dewey (Charles) of Lakeville, MN, and Tina Smith of Honolulu, HI; granddaughters Dr. Ruairi Smith-Dewey of Detroit, MI and Bailey Smith-Dewey of Minneapolis, MN; siblings Caroline Pope of Missouri, Merle (Marilyn) Ehlebracht of Arizona, Dianne (John) Green, Colorado, Addie (Charlie) Mork of Bellingham, MN, Joe Ehlebracht of Webster, SD; and numerous aunts, cousins, and many nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Rebecca (Becky), and a brother-in-law, Bob Pope.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to nurse Deb Aalderks and the Brookings Hospice team for their excellent care and compassion during Jerry's illness.

Memorials will be donated to the Brookings Animal Humane Society.