Gerold Schuelke

Gerold “Jerry” Leroy Schuelke was born Dec. 27, 1935. He was the youngest of 13 children born to Albert and Elizabeth (Peregrine) Schuelke at Mud Butte, S.D. 

Jerry attended the rural school in the Mud Butte area until his father passed away, when they moved to Sturgis, S.D., where he finished school.

On April 5, 1955, Jerry entered the Army and was stationed at Camp Chaffee, Ark. He also spent a year in Germany before being honorably discharged in 1957.  

Jerry met and fell in love with his “other half” Lou Wyant in 1958. They had seven children:  Sheila, Debbie, Deana, Dale (Gerold), Rocky, Shelly and Ricky.  They spent 45 years together and were committed to raising their family. Many good memories were made around their table with their family.   

Jerry was a hard worker, and good provider. He worked several ranch jobs in the Mud Butte area before moving the family to the Black Hills of South Dakota near Deerfield Lake in 1971. Jerry started a trucking and backhoe business which he continued to do until his retirement in 2012.

He still dabbled in ranching in the early years living in the Hills. He worked in the woods, cutting timber in the winter months. He and Lou spent many hours working to clean the property of old buildings and put in a campground called the Lazy S Campground, which he closed following Lou’s death in 2003.  Jerry taught his children important values of honesty, respect, how to work together, and to help others.

Jerry enjoyed playing cards with family and friends. He team roped in the early years when time allowed. He was an avid reader and enjoyed watching professional basketball and football on TV. He and Lou began playing cribbage after the children left home.  He was always up for a cribbage game and played with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren until shortly before his death. Family was very important to him. He will be remembered for that twinkle in his eye, his gentle smile and good sense of humor.   

Jerry, of Hill City, S.D., died Jan. 5, 2022, at West Hills Village in Rapid City, S.D. He was 86.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Elizabeth Schuelke; his wife, Lou; daughters, Deana Hunsaker and Shelly Schuelke; one son-in-law; five brothers and their wives; six sisters and their husbands; four brothers-in-law; and a sister-in-law.

Jerry is survived by his children, Sheila (Leon) Gillespie, Debbie (Shaun) McVey, Dale (Deann) Schuelke, Rocky Schuelke and Rick (Cheri) Schuelk; son-in-law, Rob Hunsaker;  20 grandchildren, Shane (Kendra), Kara (Bobby), Molly (Nick), Kade, Ashley (Steve), Stephanie (Tony), Ryan (Shawna), Jason (Loretta), Justin (Kim), Lexi, Madi, Tiffany, Tyler, Jesey, Lindsey (Matt), Ethan, Seth, Kaylee, Carson and Arik; 33 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; sister, McGee Vansickle; sister-in-law, Karen Wyant; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were Jan. 17 at First Presbyterian Church in Sturgis, S.D., with a visitation one hour prior to services. Interment to follow at Hill City Cemetery.

Condolences may be sent to the family at kinkadefunerals.com.