Jerry Dean Christensen, age 76, of Garretson, passed away Friday, August 9, 2024, at Palisade Healthcare Center in Garretson. Memorial services will begin at 11:00 AM Thursday, August 15, 2024, at the United Church of Garretson. Interment will precede the service at 10:00 AM Thursday at Summit Hill Cemetery, rural Garretson. Visitation will be from 5:30-7:00 PM Wednesday, at the Minnehaha Funeral Home, Garretson. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family.
Jerry was born on March 7, 1948, to Alfred Sr and Marvena (Carlson) Christensen. He grew up around the Sioux Falls area and attended Baltic High School. After school he worked for Nordica Frozen Foods in Sioux Falls. He then attended Southeast Area Voc-Tech school for boiler and industrial maintenance and went to work for the Sioux Falls School District at Lincoln High School and Renberg Elementary as a custodian. He married Sue Olson on June 13, 1970, at the Methodist Church in Garretson. They settled in Garretson and Jerry later began working for the Garretson School as a custodian. Additionally, Jerry delivered the newspaper for many years and helped some of his children deliver the paper, so they could earn extra money.
Jerry loved all children and would do anything for his own children and any other children who needed his help. Jerry and Sue had guardianship of their nephew, Leroy Austin, for a period of time. Additionally, they opened their home to countless foster children over the years.
While at Lincoln, Jerry found his love for wrestling. He loved to attend wrestling meets and helped start the wrestling booster club in Garretson. Jerry also coached baseball and softball in Renner and Garretson for years. He loved camping, fishing, and hunting.
Survivors include his wife, Sue; children: Cindi Christensen (Neal Pelham), Aaron (Stacy) Christensen, Will (Janelle) Christensen, Dena (Jerome) Garcia, Alexandria (Jason Hewer) Christensen, and Chandra Christensen; grandchildren: Kailyn and Alaina Garay; Kylie, Mia, Mitchell, and Miles Christensen; Avery Christensen; Faith and Brooks Garcia; Chloe Christensen; Elli Adams; Aryana Franka, Liliah Vande Pol; and Ava Christensen; sisters-in-law: Barb Christensen and Diane Christensen; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, granddaughter Alivia, brothers, Alfred Jr. and Jim, sisters, Thora Krier and Betty Prouty; and a niece Corine Gustafson.
