Jerry Wagner, age 82, of Dell Rapids, formerly of Brookings, died Friday, September 12, 2008, at Avera-McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls. Funeral services will be 1:00 P.M. Wednesday, September 17, 2008, at the United Methodist Church in Dell Rapids, with interment at Greenwood Cemetery in Brookings. Visitations will be from 5-8 P.M. Tuesday at Eidsness Funeral Home in Brookings. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society.
Jerry Wagner was born June 8, 1926, at White, South Dakota, to John J. and Trientje (Kor) Wagner. He attended country schools and later enrolled in correspondence courses at SDSU related to his work. He served in the U.S. Army from March 1945 until December 1946. On September 23, 1947, he married Elizabeth Prevo at her familys farm near White, South Dakota. Jerry held a state electricians license for 30 years. He owned and operated Jerrys Plumbing and Heating in White from 1960 until 1964. He worked for the City of Brookings, three years at the water treatment plant and then 27 years for the street department. He began serving as the street department superintendent in 1969, and retired June 30, 1991. He and Elizabeth moved to Dell Rapids in 1995. Elizabeth died December 18, 2005.
Jerry was a member of First Presbyterian Church while in Brookings, and had served as a trustee. He was a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Brookings Amateur Radio Club, and the United Methodist Church in Dell Rapids. He was a ham radio operator and also enjoyed woodworking, welding, fishing, and hunting. He was given a lifesaving award by the City of Brookings.
Survivors include a son-in-law, Larry Jorgensen, of Sioux Falls; four grandchildren: Keith (Jennifer) Wagner of Sioux Falls, John (Lynn) Jorgensen of Sioux Falls, Dori (Marti Boxwell) Cole of Sioux Falls, and Lori (Jarrod) Johnson of Harrisburg, South Dakota; six great-grandchildren: Kayla, Brianna, Joseph, Erick, Ian, and Tor; a brother, John J. Wagner, of Brookings; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; two daughters: Patricia Wagner and Susan Jorgensen; and a sister, Katie Billet.