Jerome "Jerry" Steckler

Jerome “Jerry” Steckler, age 90, of Yankton, South Dakota, died Monday, July 23, 2018 at Avera Sr. James Care Center in Yankton. Memorial Mass will be 10:30 AM on Friday, July 27, 2018 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Yankton with Reverend Larry Regynski officiating. Burial will be in the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Yankton with military honors provided by the Ernest-Bowyer VFW Post 791. A gathering of friends and family will be from 5:00 to 8:00 PM on Thursday, July 26, 2018 at the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home in Yankton with a rosary at 6:45 PM and a vigil service at 7:00 PM. Honorary pallbearers will be his grandchildren: James Barnett Jr., Kara Pfannenstein, Katherine Barnett, Michael Barnett, Erik Steckler, Alex Steckler, Kraig Steckler, Lyndsay Evans, Jonathon Economy, Andrew Steckler, Emily Hinz, and Katelyn Steckler. Jerome “Jerry” Steckler was born October 7, 1927 in Sioux City, Iowa. He grew up in Yankton, South Dakota with his parents, Harry and Mary (Rodesch) Steckler, and graduated from Yankton High School in 1945. He enlisted into the United States Navy and served his country during World War II. After his discharge, he returned to Yankton and graduated from Yankton College in 1952 with a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration. He married Donna Perk on November 25, 1952 in Crofton, Nebraska and after their four little children were born, Jerry returned to school graduated from Mount Marty College in 1959 with a degree in Medical Technology. Jerry worked as a Med Tech in Redwood Falls, Minnesota; then Medford, Oregon; and Maquoketa, Iowa until moving back to Yankton in 1967. Jerry worked for the Medical Clinic in Yankton for 28 years. Jerry was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Yankton Elks Lodge, lifetime member of the Yankton VFW and founding member of Lakeview Golf Course in Crofton. Jerry and Donna loved playing golf and did whatever was needed, including picking rock, to get Lakeview Golf Course started. Jerry also enjoyed hunting, fishing, bowling and traveling. They spent the last 25 years wintering in Mission, Texas and traveled all over the United States. Jerry was a gentle giant, who had a quiet personality and a big heart. Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Donna Steckler of Yankton; four children: Michael (Denise) Steckler of Yankton; Laura (James) Barnett of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Jeannine (Jon) Economy of Yankton and Mark (Gwen) Steckler of Yankton; 12 grandchildren: James (Tina) Barnett Jr., Kara (Brian) Pfannenstein, Katherine Barnett, Michael Barnett, Erik (Tegan) Steckler, Alex (Megan) Steckler, Kraig Steckler, Lyndsay (Luke) Evans, Jonathon (Britney) Economy, Andrew Steckler, Emily (Erik) Hinz, and Katelyn Steckler; 17 great grandchildren: and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; twin brother, Gerard; brother, James; three step-sisters and one step-brother. To send an online sympathy message to the family, please visit www.wintzrayfuneralhome.com.